Bears in Wisconsin in August
Yes, August is a good month to see bears in Wisconsin. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 79 of the 623 sightings logged across the year (12.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for bears in Wisconsin
12.7%
of yearly sightings
79
records in August
#4
busiest month of 12
623
verified records a year
July 15.1%, August 12.7%, September 7.9%. Busiest month is June at 25.7%.
623 verified observations of bears in Wisconsin, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Wisconsin
Peak month
June
160 records (25.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.3% |
| February | 3 | 0.5% |
| March | 6 | 1% |
| April | 35 | 5.6% |
| Maypeak | 126 | 20.2% |
| Junepeak | 160 | 25.7% |
| Julypeak | 94 | 15.1% |
| August | 79 | 12.7% |
| September | 49 | 7.9% |
| October | 38 | 6.1% |
| November | 26 | 4.2% |
| December | 5 | 0.8% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 623 |
In Wisconsin, August carries 12.7% of the year's bears sightings, about 4.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (15.1%) into August, and it heads toward September (7.9%) after. The busiest month is June (25.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bears most often recorded in Wisconsin are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear623 records
Plan your bear trip in Wisconsin
Start with live tours near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Wisconsin in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 79 of the 623 verified bears sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 12.7% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bears in Wisconsin?+
August is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and May is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bears in Wisconsin?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and July, based on 623 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Wisconsin?+
The most-recorded species in Wisconsin are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Wisconsin in other months
More places to see bears
More wildlife in Wisconsin