Isle Royale National Park is a remote island in Lake Superior, and every mammal that lives here had to cross the lake to get here. Only 18 mammal species have made it. Moose, the largest animals on the island, arrived in the early 1900s. In summer they are often seen feeding on water plants in inland lakes and beaver ponds, and they are most active at dawn and dusk. Washington Creek in Windigo, Ojibway Lake, Feldtmann Lake and Hidden Lake in Tobin Harbor are good places to look. Gray wolves are thought to have crossed an ice bridge from Canada in the winter of 1948 and have been the island’s top predator ever since, and their numbers rise and fall with the moose they hunt. After the population dropped to just two wolves, nineteen wolves were relocated to the island from the Great Lakes region. Wolves are elusive, but they are sometimes seen along lakeshores, in open areas and on trails. Red foxes are often seen on trails and near campgrounds, and the American red squirrel, the only squirrel on the island, is the mammal visitors see most. Beavers, river otters, minks, ermines and shy American martens live here too.
Isle Royale is one of the few places on the Great Lakes shorelines where common loons breed, and their calls echo across the island’s lakes when they return each spring. Sandhill cranes have become fairly common in recent years, with many breeding pairs found across the island. The western painted turtle is the only turtle on the island, and it is often seen basking on logs on sunny days. Only two kinds of snakes live here, and the island’s garter snakes come in unusual colors, from creamy stripes to red-orange spots to nearly all black. Spring peepers are the most abundant frogs, singing in nearly deafening choruses in early summer, and boreal chorus frogs live in small rock pools along the Lake Superior shore. The waters around the island hold more than 40 species of fish, including lake trout, lake whitefish and the rare coaster brook trout. Keep reading to see featured photos of Isle Royale’s wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Isle Royale National Park Wildlife Photographs
Have a National Park Wildlife photograph you’d like featured? Contact us today to learn more!
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Isle Royale Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Isle Royale National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Seventh Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Isle Royale National Park Species List
The wildlife at Isle Royale National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Isle Royale National Park:
Species Spotlight
Photo posts of animals you’ll find in Isle Royale.
Isle Royale National Park Mammals
18 species
- American Beaver(Castor canadensis)
- American Red Squirrel(Tamiasciurus hudsonicus regalis)
- Big Brown Bat(Eptesicus fuscus)
- Deer Mouse(Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Eastern Red Bat(Lasiurus borealis)
- Ermine(Mustela erminea)
- Gray Wolf(Canis lupus)
- Hoary Bat(Lasiurus cinereus)
- Little Brown Bat(Myotis lucifugus)
- Marten(Martes americana)
- Mink(Mustela vison)
- Moose Photo post(Alces alces)
- Muskrat(Ondatra zibethicus)
- Northern Long-eared Bat(Myotis septentrionalis)
- Red Fox Photo post(Vulpes vulpes)
- River Otter(Lontra canadensis)
- Silver-haired Bat(Lasionycteris noctivagans)
- Snowshoe Hare(Lepus americanus)
No mammals match.
Isle Royale National Park Birds
243 species
- Alder Flycatcher(Empidonax alnorum)
- American Bittern(Botaurus lentiginosus)
- American Black Duck(Anas rubripes)
- American Black Mallard(Anas rubripes X platyrhynchos)
- American Coot(Fulica americana)
- American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
- American Golden Plover(Pluvialis dominica)
- American Goldfinch(Carduelis tristis)
- American Kestrel(Falco sparverius)
- American Pipit(Anthus rubescens)
- American Redstart(Setophaga ruticilla)
- American Robin Photo post(Turdus migratorius)
- American Tree Sparrow(Spizella arborea)
- American White Pelican(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
- American Wigeon(Anas americana)
- American Woodcock(Scolopax minor)
- Baird’s Sandpiper(Calidris bairdii)
- Bald Eagle Photo post(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Baltimore Oriole(Icterus galbula)
- Bank Swallow(Riparia riparia)
- Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica)
- Barred Owl(Strix varia)
- Bay-breasted Warbler(Dendroica castanea)
- Belted Kingfisher(Ceryle alcyon)
- Black Scoter(Melanitta nigra)
- Black Tern(Chlidonias niger)
- Black-and-white Warbler(Mniotilta varia)
- Black-backed Woodpecker(Picoides arcticus)
- Black-bellied Plover(Pluvialis squatarola)
- Black-billed Cuckoo(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
- Black-billed Magpie(Pica hudsonia)
- Black-capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus)
- Black-crowned Night Heron(Nycticorax nycticorax)
- Black-throated Blue Warbler(Dendroica caerulescens)
- Black-throated Green Warbler(Dendroica virens)
- Blackburnian Warbler(Dendroica fusca)
- Blackpoll Warbler(Dendroica striata)
- Blue Jay(Cyanocitta cristata)
- Blue-headed Vireo(Vireo solitarius)
- Blue-winged Teal(Anas discors)
- Bobolink(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
- Bonaparte’s Gull(Larus philadelphia)
- Boreal Chickadee(Poecile hudsonica)
- Boreal Owl(Aegolius funereus)
- Brewer’s Blackbird(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
- Broad-winged Hawk(Buteo platypterus)
- Brown Creeper(Certhia americana)
- Brown Thrasher(Toxostoma rufum)
- Brown-headed Cowbird(Molothrus ater)
- Bufflehead(Bucephala albeola)
- Canada Goose(Branta canadensis)
- Canada Warbler(Wilsonia canadensis)
- Canvasback(Aythya valisineria)
- Cape May Warbler(Dendroica tigrina)
- Caspian Tern(Sterna caspia)
- Cedar Waxwing(Bombycilla cedrorum)
- Cerulean Warbler(Dendroica cerulea)
- Chestnut-sided Warbler(Dendroica pensylvanica)
- Chimney Swift(Chaetura pelagica)
- Chipping Sparrow(Spizella passerina)
- Clay-colored Sparrow(Spizella pallida)
- Cliff Swallow(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
- Common Goldeneye(Bucephala clangula)
- Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula)
- Common Loon Photo post(Gavia immer)
- Common Merganser(Mergus merganser)
- Common Nighthawk(Chordeiles minor)
- Common Raven(Corvus corax)
- Common Redpoll(Carduelis flammea)
- Common Snipe(Gallinago gallinago)
- Common Tern(Sterna hirundo)
- Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas)
- Connecticut Warbler(Oporornis agilis)
- Cooper’s Hawk(Accipiter cooperii)
- Dark-eyed Junco(Junco hyemalis)
- Double-crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus)
- Downy Woodpecker(Picoides pubescens)
- Dunlin(Calidris alpina)
- Eastern Bluebird(Sialia sialis)
- Eastern Kingbird(Tyrannus tyrannus)
- Eastern Meadowlark(Sturnella magna)
- Eastern Phoebe(Sayornis phoebe)
- Eastern Towhee(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
- Eastern Wood-pewee(Contopus virens)
- European Starling(Sturnus vulgaris)
- Evening Grosbeak(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
- Feral Pigeon(Columba livia)
- Field Sparrow(Spizella pusilla)
- Fox Sparrow(Passerella iliaca)
- Gadwall(Anas strepera)
- Glaucous Gull(Larus hyperboreus)
- Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos)
- Golden-crowned Kinglet(Regulus satrapa)
- Golden-winged Warbler(Vermivora chrysoptera)
- Gray Catbird(Dumetella carolinensis)
- Gray Jay(Perisoreus canadensis)
- Gray-cheeked Thrush(Catharus minimus)
- Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias)
- Great Crested Flycatcher(Myiarchus crinitus)
- Great Horned Owl(Bubo virginianus)
- Greater Scaup(Aythya marila)
- Greater White-fronted Goose(Anser albifrons)
- Greater Yellowlegs(Tringa melanoleuca)
- Green-winged Teal(Anas crecca)
- Gyrfalcon(Falco rusticolus)
- Hairy Woodpecker(Picoides villosus)
- Harlequin Duck Photo post(Histrionicus histrionicus)
- Harris’s Sparrow(Zonotrichia querula)
- Hawk Owl(Surnia ulula)
- Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus)
- Herring Gull(Larus argentatus)
- Hooded Merganser(Lophodytes cucullatus)
- Horned Grebe(Podiceps auritus)
- Horned Lark(Eremophila alpestris)
- House Sparrow(Passer domesticus)
- House Wren(Troglodytes aedon)
- Hudsonian Godwit(Limosa haemastica)
- Iceland Gull(Larus glaucoides)
- Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea)
- Killdeer(Charadrius vociferus)
- Kirtland’s Warbler(Dendroica kirtlandii)
- Lapland Longspur(Calcarius lapponicus)
- Le Conte’s Sparrow(Ammodramus leconteii)
- Least Flycatcher(Empidonax minimus)
- Least Sandpiper(Calidris minutilla)
- Lesser Scaup(Aythya affinis)
- Lesser Yellowlegs(Tringa flavipes)
- Lincoln’s Sparrow(Melospiza lincolnii)
- Loggerhead Shrike(Lanius ludovicianus)
- Long-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus scolopaceus)
- Long-eared Owl(Asio otus)
- Long-tailed Duck(Clangula hyemalis)
- Long-tailed Jaeger(Stercorarius longicaudus)
- Magnolia Warbler(Dendroica magnolia)
- Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos)
- Marbled Godwit(Limosa fedoa)
- Marsh Wren(Cistothorus palustris)
- Merlin(Falco columbarius)
- Mississippi Kite(Ictinia mississippiensis)
- Mourning Dove(Zenaida macroura)
- Mourning Warbler(Oporornis philadelphia)
- Mute Swan(Cygnus olor)
- Nashville Warbler(Vermivora ruficapilla)
- Northern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis)
- Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus)
- Northern Goshawk(Accipiter gentilis)
- Northern Harrier(Circus cyaneus)
- Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos)
- Northern Parula(Parula americana)
- Northern Pintail(Anas acuta)
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
- Northern Saw-whet Owl(Aegolius acadicus)
- Northern Shoveler(Anas clypeata)
- Northern Shrike(Lanius excubitor)
- Northern Waterthrush(Seiurus noveboracensis)
- Olive-sided Flycatcher(Contopus cooperi)
- Orange-crowned Warbler(Vermivora celata)
- Osprey(Pandion haliaetus)
- Ovenbird(Seiurus aurocapillus)
- Palm Warbler(Dendroica palmarum)
- Pectoral Sandpiper(Calidris melanotos)
- Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)
- Philadelphia Vireo(Vireo philadelphicus)
- Pied-billed Grebe(Podilymbus podiceps)
- Pileated Woodpecker(Dryocopus pileatus)
- Pine Grosbeak(Pinicola enucleator)
- Pine Siskin(Carduelis pinus)
- Pine Warbler(Dendroica pinus)
- Purple Finch(Carpodacus purpureus)
- Red Crossbill(Loxia curvirostra)
- Red-breasted Merganser(Mergus serrator)
- Red-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta canadensis)
- Red-eyed Vireo(Vireo olivaceus)
- Red-headed Woodpecker(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
- Red-necked Grebe(Podiceps grisegena)
- Red-necked Phalarope(Phalaropus lobatus)
- Red-shouldered Hawk(Buteo lineatus)
- Red-tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis)
- Red-throated Loon(Gavia stellata)
- Red-winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus)
- Redhead(Aythya americana)
- Ring-billed Gull(Larus delawarensis)
- Ring-necked Duck(Aythya collaris)
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
- Rough-legged Hawk(Buteo lagopus)
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula)
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird(Archilochus colubris)
- Ruddy Duck(Oxyura jamaicensis)
- Ruddy Turnstone(Arenaria interpres)
- Rusty Blackbird(Euphagus carolinus)
- Sanderling(Calidris alba)
- Sandhill Crane Photo post(Grus canadensis)
- Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis)
- Scarlet Tanager(Piranga olivacea)
- Sedge Wren(Cistothorus platensis)
- Semipalmated Plover(Charadrius semipalmatus)
- Semipalmated Sandpiper(Calidris pusilla)
- Sharp-shinned Hawk(Accipiter striatus)
- Short-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus)
- Short-eared Owl(Asio flammeus)
- Smith’s Longspur(Calcarius pictus)
- Snow Bunting(Plectrophenax nivalis)
- Snow Goose(Chen caerulescens)
- Snowy Owl(Nyctea scandiaca)
- Solitary Sandpiper(Tringa solitaria)
- Song Sparrow(Melospiza melodia)
- Sora(Porzana carolina)
- Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularia)
- Surf Scoter(Melanitta perspicillata)
- Swainson’s Thrush(Catharus ustulatus)
- Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana)
- Tennessee Warbler(Vermivora peregrina)
- Three-toed Woodpecker(Picoides tridactylus)
- Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor)
- Tundra Swan(Cygnus columbianus)
- Turkey Vulture(Cathartes aura)
- Veery(Catharus fuscescens)
- Vesper Sparrow(Pooecetes gramineus)
- Virginia Rail(Rallus limicola)
- Warbling Vireo(Vireo gilvus)
- Western Kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis)
- Western Wood-pewee(Contopus sordidulus)
- Whimbrel(Numenius phaeopus)
- Whip-poor-will(Caprimulgus vociferus)
- White-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis)
- White-crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
- White-eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus)
- White-rumped Sandpiper(Calidris fuscicollis)
- White-throated Sparrow(Zonotrichia albicollis)
- White-winged Crossbill(Loxia leucoptera)
- White-winged Scoter(Melanitta fusca)
- Willow Flycatcher(Empidonax traillii)
- Wilson’s Warbler(Wilsonia pusilla)
- Winter Wren(Troglodytes troglodytes)
- Wood Duck(Aix sponsa)
- Wood Thrush(Hylocichla mustelina)
- Yellow Warbler(Dendroica petechia)
- Yellow-bellied Flycatcher(Empidonax flaviventris)
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus varius)
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo(Coccyzus americanus)
- Yellow-headed Blackbird(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
- Yellow-rumped Warbler(Dendroica coronata)
- Yellow-throated Vireo(Vireo flavifrons)
No birds match.
Isle Royale National Park Reptiles
3 species
- Eastern Gartersnake(Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)
- Northern Red-bellied Snake(Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata)
- Western Painted Turtle(Chrysemys picta bellii)
No reptiles match.
Isle Royale National Park Amphibians
8 species
- Blue-spotted Salamander(Ambystoma laterale)
- Boreal Chorus Frog(Pseudacris maculata)
- Central Newt(Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis)
- Eastern American Toad(Bufo americanus americanus)
- Mink Frog(Rana septentrionalis)
- Northern Green Frog(Rana clamitans melanota)
- Northern Spring Peeper(Pseudacris crucifer crucifer)
- Wood Frog(Rana sylvatica)
No amphibians match.
Isle Royale National Park Fish
53 species
- Alewife(Alosa pseudoharengus)
- Atlantic Salmon(Salmo salar)
- Big-eyed Chub(Coregonus kiyi)
- Black Crappie(Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
- Blackchin Shiner(Notropis heterodon)
- Blacknose Dace(Rhinichthys obtusus)
- Blacknose Shiner(Notropis heterolepis)
- Bloater(Coregonus hoyi)
- Bluntnose Minnow(Pimephales notatus)
- Brook Stickleback(Culaea inconstans)
- Brook Trout(Salvelinus fontinalis)
- Brown Trout(Salmo trutta)
- Burbot(Lota lota)
- Chinook Salmon(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
- Cisco(Coregonus artedii)
- Coho Salmon(Oncorhynchus kisutch)
- Creek Chub(Semotilus atromaculatus)
- Deepwater Sculpin(Myoxocephalus quadricornis)
- Emerald Shiner(Notropis atherinoides)
- Fathead Minnow(Pimephales promelas)
- Finescale Dace(Phoxinus neogaeus)
- Golden Shiner(Notemigonus crysoleucas)
- Harvey Lake Pearl Dace(Margariscus margarita)
- Iowa Darter(Etheostoma exile)
- Lake Chub(Couesius plumbeus)
- Lake Sturgeon(Acipenser fulvescens)
- Lake Trout(Salvelinus namaycush)
- Lake Whitefish(Coregonus clupeaformis)
- Longnose Dace(Rhinichthys cataractae)
- Longnose Sucker(Catostomus catostomus)
- Mottled Sculpin(Cottus bairdii)
- Muskellunge(Esox masquinongy)
- Ninespine Stickleback(Pungitius pungitius)
- Northern Logperch(Percina caprodes)
- Northern Mimic Shiner(Notropis volucellus)
- Northern Pike(Esox lucius)
- Northern Redbelly Dace(Phoxinus eos)
- Pink Salmon(Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
- Pumpkinseed(Lepomis gibbosus)
- Pygmy Whitefish(Prosopium coulteri)
- Rainbow Smelt(Osmerus mordax)
- Rainbow Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Round Whitefish(Prosopium cylindraceum)
- Sea Lamprey(Petromyzon marinus)
- Shortjaw Cisco(Coregonus zenithicus)
- Siskiwit Lake Cisco(Coregonus bartlettii)
- Slimy Sculpin(Cottus cognatus)
- Spoonhead Sculpin(Cottus ricei)
- Spottail Shiner(Notropis hudsonius)
- Trout-perch(Percopsis omiscomaycus)
- Walleye(Sander vitreus)
- White Sucker(Catostomus commersoni)
- Yellow Perch(Perca flavescens)
No fish match.
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Isle Royale National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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References:
- National Park Species List
- NPS: Mammals, Isle Royale
- NPS: Moose, Isle Royale
- NPS: Wolves, Isle Royale
- NPS: Red Fox, Isle Royale
- NPS: American Red Squirrel, Isle Royale
- NPS: Birds, Isle Royale
- NPS: Common Loon, Isle Royale
- NPS: Reptiles, Isle Royale
- NPS: Amphibians, Isle Royale
- NPS: Fish, Isle Royale
