Best Time to See Owls in Minnesota
February, January and April is the best time to see owls in Minnesota. Based on 5,353 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when owls are most active across the year in Minnesota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Subarctic Great Horned Owl · Rose Zappa CC BY
Eastern Screech-Owl · Karen Offereins CC BY
Eastern Screech-Owl · Liren Varghese CC BY
5,353 verified observations of owls in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Minnesota
Peak month
February
1,037 records (19.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 948 | 17.7% |
| Februarypeak | 1,037 | 19.4% |
| March | 486 | 9.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 581 | 10.9% |
| May | 513 | 9.6% |
| June | 300 | 5.6% |
| July | 182 | 3.4% |
| August | 172 | 3.2% |
| September | 185 | 3.5% |
| October | 208 | 3.9% |
| November | 228 | 4.3% |
| December | 513 | 9.6% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Barred Owl | 1,710 |
| Great Horned Owl | 1,002 |
| Great Gray Owl | 811 |
| Northern Hawk Owl | 467 |
| Snowy Owl | 354 |
| Boreal Owl | 225 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 208 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | 182 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Minnesota
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for owls sit around 2 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 20°F | 5°F | 1" |
| Febbest time | 20°F | 2°F | 1" |
| Mar | 37°F | 19°F | 1.9" |
| Aprbest time | 48°F | 30°F | 2.9" |
| May | 64°F | 44°F | 2.6" |
| Jun | 77°F | 58°F | 2.6" |
| Jul | 79°F | 62°F | 4.6" |
| Aug | 77°F | 61°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 70°F | 54°F | 3.6" |
| Oct | 53°F | 40°F | 2.7" |
| Nov | 38°F | 25°F | 1.8" |
| Dec | 27°F | 14°F | 2.5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Minnesota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on owls in Minnesota:
Sightings of owls in Minnesota peak in February, when 1,037 of the year's 5,353 verified observations are logged — about 19.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through February, January and April.
The quietest stretch is August, July and September, when owls are hardest to find — August sees just 172 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Minnesota are Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Great Gray Owl — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see owls in Minnesota
- Grand Portage National Monument — National Monument
- Mississippi National River & Recreation Area — National River & Recreation Area
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Pipestone National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway — National Scenic Riverway
- Voyageurs National Park — National Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Minnesota?+
February is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through February, January and April, based on 5,353 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Minnesota?+
August is the quietest month for owls in Minnesota, with only 172 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Minnesota?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Minnesota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in February.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Minnesota