Dragonflies in Wisconsin in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Wisconsin. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 3,501 of the 38,908 sightings logged across the year (9%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for dragonflies in Wisconsin
9%
of yearly sightings
3,501
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
38,908
verified records a year
April 0.8%, May 9%, June 35.4%. Busiest month is June at 35.4%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0% |
| February | 1 | 0% |
| March | 37 | 0.1% |
| April | 330 | 0.8% |
| May | 3,501 | 9% |
| Junepeak | 13,782 | 35.4% |
| Julypeak | 11,386 | 29.3% |
| Augustpeak | 6,501 | 16.7% |
| September | 2,536 | 6.5% |
| October | 721 | 1.9% |
| November | 99 | 0.3% |
| December | 11 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Forktail | 3,039 |
| Common Whitetail | 1,743 |
| Autumn Meadowhawk | 1,629 |
| Widow Skimmer | 1,492 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 1,465 |
| Blue Dasher | 1,403 |
| Common Green Darner | 1,348 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 1,223 |
In Wisconsin, May carries 9% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 0.7 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 rising from April (0.8%) into May, and it heads toward June (35.4%) after. The busiest month is June (35.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Wisconsin are Eastern Forktail, Common Whitetail and Autumn Meadowhawk. 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 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 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.
GetYourGuide
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 dragonfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Wisconsin.
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Broader backupBook a dragonfly 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 dragonflies in Wisconsin in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 3,501 of the 38,908 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Wisconsin?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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.
See dragonflies in Wisconsin in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Wisconsin