Snakes in Wisconsin in July

Yes, July is one of the best months to see snakes in Wisconsin. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 1,310 of the 9,785 sightings logged across the year (13.4%), 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.

Peak month for snakes in Wisconsin

13.4%

of yearly sightings

1,310

records in July

#3

busiest month of 12

9,785

verified records a year

June 19%, July 13.4%, August 11.5%. 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, July carries 13.4% of the year's snakes sightings, about 5.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from June (19%) into July, and it heads toward August (11.5%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The snakes most often recorded in Wisconsin are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Eastern Foxsnake. 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 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 July?+

Yes. July accounts for 1,310 of the 9,785 verified snakes sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 13.4% of the annual total.

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

July is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and July.

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.