Snakes in Wisconsin in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Wisconsin. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 2,043 of the 9,785 sightings logged across the year (20.9%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in Wisconsin
20.9%
of yearly sightings
2,043
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
9,785
verified records a year
April 12.7%, May 20.9%, June 19%. Busiest month is May at 20.9%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0% |
| February | 4 | 0% |
| March | 164 | 1.7% |
| April | 1,238 | 12.7% |
| Maypeak | 2,043 | 20.9% |
| Junepeak | 1,862 | 19% |
| Julypeak | 1,310 | 13.4% |
| August | 1,129 | 11.5% |
| September | 1,188 | 12.1% |
| October | 739 | 7.6% |
| November | 98 | 1% |
| December | 7 | 0.1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 3,872 |
| Common Watersnake | 941 |
| Eastern Foxsnake | 822 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 777 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 744 |
| Eastern Hognose Snake | 587 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 553 |
| Smooth Greensnake | 279 |
In Wisconsin, May carries 20.9% of the year's snakes sightings, about 12.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (12.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (19%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May 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 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 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 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.
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 snake viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best snake viewing area in Wisconsin.
Viator
Broader backupBook a snake tour in Wisconsin
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Wisconsin in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 2,043 of the 9,785 verified snakes sightings logged in Wisconsin across the year, which is 20.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Wisconsin?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st 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.
See snakes in Wisconsin in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Wisconsin