Best Time to See Mallards in North Dakota
May, April and June is the best time to see mallards in North Dakota. Based on 341 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mallards are most active across the year in North Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
341 verified observations of mallards in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mallards are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
May
73 records (21.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 2.1% |
| February | 5 | 1.5% |
| March | 13 | 3.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 66 | 19.4% |
| Maypeak | 73 | 21.4% |
| Junepeak | 59 | 17.3% |
| July | 44 | 12.9% |
| August | 23 | 6.7% |
| September | 19 | 5.6% |
| October | 15 | 4.4% |
| November | 13 | 3.8% |
| December | 4 | 1.2% |
Mallards you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mallard | 341 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mallards are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mallards sit around 28 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mallards in North Dakota peak in May, when 73 of the year's 341 verified observations are logged — about 21.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is December and February, when mallards are hardest to find — December sees just 4 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mallards you are most likely to encounter in North Dakota are Mallard — 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 mallards in North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Arrowwood NWR (general)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mallards in North Dakota?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 341 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mallards hardest to see in North Dakota?+
December is the quietest month for mallards in North Dakota, with only 4 verified records.
Are mallards active year-round in North Dakota?+
Mallards are recorded in 12 of 12 months in North Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in North Dakota