Fishing by moon phase: when do fish bite best?

Short answer: fish tend to feed harder around the full and new moon, and during the solunar windows when the moon is overhead, underfoot, rising or setting. The best plan is a major window that lines up with dawn or dusk.

Moon phase

• New and full moon: the sun and moon line up, solunar ratings peak, and many anglers report their best days.
• Quarter moons: often rated lower, but a well-timed window at first light can still be strong.

Daily bite windows

• Major (about 2 hours): moon overhead or underfoot.
• Minor (about 1 hour): moonrise and moonset.

How to plan a trip

1. Open the month and look for days rated 4 or 5.
2. Pick a day where a major bite window overlaps sunrise or sunset.
3. In salt water, check that the tide is moving during that window.
4. Arrive before the window and fish all of it.

Other factors

Water temperature, weather fronts, wind and light all matter. Treat bite times as a way to pick the best of several possible days, not a promise.

Doing it with Feedcast

Switch Feedcast to fishing mode to see major and minor bite times, moon phase and a monthly calendar for every lake or shore spot you save — and log catches to see which windows work for you.

Is fishing better during a full moon?

Days around the full and new moon often rate highest on solunar calendars. Many anglers report strong bites near dawn and dusk on those days.

Do solunar times work in fresh and salt water?

They are used for both. In salt water, tides also drive feeding, so combine bite windows with your local tide table.

What is a good bite window to plan around?

A major window that overlaps sunrise or sunset is the classic choice. Arrive early and fish the whole window.