Best Time to See Mallards in South Dakota
May, June and April is the best time to see mallards in South Dakota. Based on 758 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mallards are most active across the year in South Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
758 verified observations of mallards in South Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mallards are recorded in South Dakota
Peak month
May
134 records (17.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 35 | 4.6% |
| February | 27 | 3.6% |
| March | 68 | 9% |
| Aprilpeak | 106 | 14% |
| Maypeak | 134 | 17.7% |
| Junepeak | 120 | 15.8% |
| July | 81 | 10.7% |
| August | 58 | 7.7% |
| September | 35 | 4.6% |
| October | 30 | 4% |
| November | 41 | 5.4% |
| December | 23 | 3% |
Mallards you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mallard | 758 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in South 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 34 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 16°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 31°F | 11°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 44°F | 25°F | 1.6" |
| Aprbest time | 54°F | 34°F | 2.4" |
| Maybest time | 68°F | 49°F | 3.7" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Jul | 87°F | 67°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 86°F | 66°F | 1.6" |
| Sep | 78°F | 58°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 58°F | 40°F | 2" |
| Nov | 46°F | 29°F | 0.8" |
| Dec | 35°F | 19°F | 1.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for South Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mallards in South Dakota peak in May, when 134 of the year's 758 verified observations are logged — about 17.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is December, February and October, when mallards are hardest to find — December sees just 23 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 South 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 South Dakota
- Badlands National Park — National Park
- Jewel Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Missouri National Recreational River — National Recreational River
- Wind Cave National Park — National Park
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mallards in South Dakota?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 758 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mallards hardest to see in South Dakota?+
December is the quietest month for mallards in South Dakota, with only 23 verified records.
Are mallards active year-round in South Dakota?+
Mallards are recorded in 12 of 12 months in South Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in South Dakota