Bees in Wisconsin in May
Yes, May is a good month to see bees in Wisconsin. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 6,646 of the 60,277 sightings logged across the year (11%), 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 bees in Wisconsin
11%
of yearly sightings
6,646
records in May
#5
busiest month of 12
60,277
verified records a year
April 4.4%, May 11%, June 16.7%. Busiest month is August at 26.5%.
60,277 verified observations of bees in Wisconsin, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bees are recorded in Wisconsin
Peak month
August
15,949 records (26.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0% |
| February | 11 | 0% |
| March | 82 | 0.1% |
| April | 2,679 | 4.4% |
| May | 6,646 | 11% |
| Junepeak | 10,046 | 16.7% |
| Julypeak | 15,118 | 25.1% |
| Augustpeak | 15,949 | 26.5% |
| September | 7,679 | 12.7% |
| October | 1,976 | 3.3% |
| November | 83 | 0.1% |
| December | 5 | 0% |
Bees you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Eastern Bumble Bee | 12,195 |
| Brown-belted Bumble Bee | 5,145 |
| Two-spotted Bumble Bee | 3,891 |
| Western Honey Bee | 3,651 |
| Red-belted Bumble Bee | 2,832 |
| Black-and-gold Bumble Bee | 1,644 |
| Rusty-patched Bumble Bee | 1,319 |
| Half-black Bumble Bee | 1,313 |
In Wisconsin, May carries 11% of the year's bees sightings, about 2.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (4.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (16.7%) after. The busiest month is August (26.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bees most often recorded in Wisconsin are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee and Two-spotted Bumble Bee. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which bees you are most likely to see
- Common Eastern Bumble Bee12,195 records
- Brown-belted Bumble Bee5,145 records
- Two-spotted Bumble Bee3,891 records
- Western Honey Bee3,651 records
- Red-belted Bumble Bee2,832 records
- Black-and-gold Bumble Bee1,644 records
Plan your bee 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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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bee viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bee viewing area in Wisconsin.
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Broader backupBook a bee tour in Wisconsin
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bees in Wisconsin in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 6,646 of the 60,277 verified bees sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 11% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bees in Wisconsin?+
May is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though August and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bees in Wisconsin?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, July and June, based on 60,277 verified observations.
Which bees are you most likely to see in Wisconsin?+
The most-recorded species in Wisconsin are Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee and Two-spotted Bumble Bee, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bees in Wisconsin in other months
More wildlife in Wisconsin