To quantify the impact of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate events on the methane budget, we studied the correlation between CH₄ time series and ENSO indices. We find that ENSO explains less than one-third of the variability in CH₄ levels and their stable carbon isotopes, which constrain the source processes of emissions. ENSO forcing of the CH₄ cycle is too small, episodic, and regional to force atmospheric trends, which are more likely caused by agricultural or industrial emissions.