Snakes in Wisconsin in August

Yes, August is a good month to see snakes in Wisconsin. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 1,129 of the 9,785 sightings logged across the year (11.5%), 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 June 28, 2026.

Eastern Hognose Snake photographed in WisconsinTimber Rattlesnake photographed in WisconsinCommon Ribbon Snake photographed in Wisconsin
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for snakes in Wisconsin

11.5%

of yearly sightings

1,129

records in August

#6

busiest month of 12

9,785

verified records a year

July 13.4%, August 11.5%, September 12.1%. Busiest month is May at 20.9%.

Best months: May, June, JulyPeak season right now

9,785 verified observations of snakes in Wisconsin, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in Wisconsin

Peak month

May

2,043 records (20.9% of the year)

Quietest month

January

3 records

MonthObservationsShare
January30%
February40%
March1641.7%
April1,23812.7%
Maypeak2,04320.9%
Junepeak1,86219%
Julypeak1,31013.4%
August1,12911.5%
September1,18812.1%
October7397.6%
November981%
December70.1%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Garter Snake3,872
Common Watersnake941
Eastern Foxsnake822
Red-bellied Snake777
DeKay's Brownsnake744
Eastern Hognose Snake587
Eastern Milksnake553
Smooth Greensnake279

In Wisconsin, August carries 11.5% of the year's snakes sightings, about 3.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from July (13.4%) into August, and it heads toward September (12.1%) after. The busiest month is May (20.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The snakes most often recorded in Wisconsin are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Eastern Foxsnake. 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 snakes you are most likely to see

  • Common Garter Snake3,872 records
  • Common Watersnake941 records
  • Eastern Foxsnake822 records
  • Red-bellied Snake777 records
  • DeKay's Brownsnake744 records
  • Eastern Hognose Snake587 records
Plan your tripApostle Islands National Lakeshore

Plan your snake 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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see snakes in Wisconsin in August?+

Yes. August accounts for 1,129 of the 9,785 verified snakes sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 11.5% of the annual total.

Is August a good time to see snakes in Wisconsin?+

August is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for snakes in Wisconsin?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 9,785 verified observations.

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

The most-recorded species in Wisconsin are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Eastern Foxsnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.