Dragonflies in Wisconsin in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see dragonflies in Wisconsin. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 11,386 of the 38,908 sightings logged across the year (29.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Swift River Cruiser photographed in WisconsinEastern Amberwing photographed in WisconsinWhite-faced Meadowhawk photographed in Wisconsin
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for dragonflies in Wisconsin

29.3%

of yearly sightings

11,386

records in July

#2

busiest month of 12

38,908

verified records a year

June 35.4%, July 29.3%, August 16.7%. Busiest month is June at 35.4%.

Best months: June, July, AugustPeak season right now

38,908 verified observations of dragonflies in Wisconsin, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When dragonflies are recorded in Wisconsin

Peak month

June

13,782 records (35.4% of the year)

Quietest month

February

1 records

MonthObservationsShare
January30%
February10%
March370.1%
April3300.8%
May3,5019%
Junepeak13,78235.4%
Julypeak11,38629.3%
Augustpeak6,50116.7%
September2,5366.5%
October7211.9%
November990.3%
December110%

Dragonflies you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Eastern Forktail3,039
Common Whitetail1,743
Autumn Meadowhawk1,629
Widow Skimmer1,492
Ebony Jewelwing1,465
Blue Dasher1,403
Common Green Darner1,348
Twelve-spotted Skimmer1,223

In Wisconsin, July carries 29.3% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 21 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from June (35.4%) into July, and it heads toward August (16.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The dragonflies most often recorded in Wisconsin are Eastern Forktail, Common Whitetail and Autumn Meadowhawk. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.

Which dragonflies you are most likely to see

  • Eastern Forktail3,039 records
  • Common Whitetail1,743 records
  • Autumn Meadowhawk1,629 records
  • Widow Skimmer1,492 records
  • Ebony Jewelwing1,465 records
  • Blue Dasher1,403 records
Plan your tripApostle Islands National Lakeshore

Plan your dragonfly 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see dragonflies in Wisconsin in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 11,386 of the 38,908 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 29.3% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see dragonflies in Wisconsin?+

July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.

What month is best for dragonflies in Wisconsin?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 38,908 verified observations.

Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Wisconsin?+

The most-recorded species in Wisconsin are Eastern Forktail, Common Whitetail and Autumn Meadowhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.