Solunar times are predicted windows of higher fish and wildlife activity based on the position of the moon and sun. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot. Minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The idea was popularised by John Alden Knight in the 1920s and 30s. Research gives it mixed support, so the smart way to use it is as one timing signal alongside light, weather, water and tide.
Key takeaways
- Major periods: moon overhead (transit) or underfoot, about 2 hours each.
- Minor periods: moonrise and moonset, about 1 hour each.
- Periods shift roughly 50 minutes later each day, just like tides.
- A solunar period that overlaps dawn or dusk is the setup many anglers like most.
- Studies find moon effects for some species and places, and they're usually small. Treat it as a tie-breaker, not a guarantee.
How solunar theory works
Each day the moon rises, crosses the sky, sets, and passes beneath your feet on the other side of the Earth. Solunar theory says animals are most active at four points in that cycle:
- Two major periods: moon overhead (upper transit) and moon underfoot (lower transit).
- Two minor periods: moonrise and moonset.
The sun is the "solar" half. When a major or minor period lands on sunrise or sunset, the theory predicts a stronger window. Days around the new and full moon are usually rated highest, which is also when tides are strongest.
What the research says
Science is split, and that's useful to know:
- Moonlight changes behaviour. Many animals, including fish, time feeding, spawning and movement to moonlight and lunar cycles. Kronfeld-Schor and colleagues (2013) review this "chronobiology by moonlight".
- Some fisheries show lunar patterns. An Australian gamefish-tournament study (Lowry et al., 2007) found catch rates for some species varied with moon phase.
- The effect is real but small. A study of almost 342,000 angler-caught muskellunge (Vinson & Angradi, 2014) found more fish were caught around the full and new moon. The best lunar days produced only about 5% more fish than random days.
- Feeding depends on many conditions. Light, temperature, current and turbidity all change how readily fish bite (Stoner, 2004).
Bottom line: the moon's position can tip the odds a little for some species, but it rarely beats good water, good weather and a good spot.
Why solunar times matter for anglers
They help you choose between good options
If you can only fish two hours, solunar periods help you pick which two. They work best as a tie-breaker when other conditions look similar.
They line up with tides on the coast
The moon drives both tides and solunar tables, so on the coast they're linked. Spring tides and highly rated solunar days both fall around the new and full moon. Check the tide chart to see if a major period also brings moving water.
They work best combined with light
Dawn and dusk are strong feeding times for many fish regardless of the moon. A solunar period that overlaps low light is the setup many experienced anglers look for.
FishHaul tip: Fishing lore is easy to remember and hard to test. Log your catches with the time, and after a season FishHaul can show whether solunar periods actually matter on your water.
How to use solunar times without overthinking
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Major period overlaps sunrise or sunset | Plan your main effort here if you can. |
| Major period in the middle of a bright day | Fish deeper, shaded or moving water during the period. |
| Minor period with good tide or rising river | Treat it as a bonus window. |
| Poor weather or blown-out water | Conditions win. Don't trust a "great" solunar rating alone. |
| Night fishing around full moon | Fish may feed more under moonlight; try moonrise and overhead periods. |
Pair solunar times with the fishing forecast, water levels and AI bite prediction to see the full picture.
How FishHaul will show solunar times
- Major and minor solunar periods
- Moon phase and overhead/underfoot times
- Sunrise, sunset and twilight
- Overlay with forecast and tide windows
Good to know
What are solunar periods?
Solunar periods are predicted activity windows based on the position of the moon and sun. Major periods last about two hours around moon overhead and underfoot. Minor periods last about one hour around moonrise and moonset. FishHaul treats them as one signal among several.
Do solunar tables really work?
Partly. Large studies have found that catches of some species rise around the new and full moon, but the effect is small. One study of almost 342,000 muskellunge found about 5% more fish on peak lunar days. Solunar times are most useful as a tie-breaker alongside weather, light, water level and tide.
What is the difference between major and minor solunar periods?
Major periods are longer windows, about two hours, centered on the moon being directly overhead or underfoot. Minor periods are shorter windows, about one hour, centered on moonrise and moonset.
Which moon phase is best for fishing?
Many anglers and solunar tables rate days around the new moon and full moon highest. On the coast these days also bring spring tides and stronger currents. Results vary by species and location.
Do solunar times work everywhere?
They can be calculated globally, but their usefulness varies by species, water and local conditions.
Sources and further reading
- Kronfeld-Schor, N. et al. (2013). Chronobiology by moonlight. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 280, 20123088.Review of how moonlight and lunar cycles shape animal behaviour, including fish.
- Lowry, M., Williams, D. & Metti, Y. (2007). Lunar landings: relationship between lunar phase and catch rates for an Australian gamefish-tournament fishery. Fisheries Research, 88, 15–23.Found species-specific links between moon phase and catch rates.
- Vinson, M. R. & Angradi, T. R. (2014). Muskie lunacy: does the lunar cycle influence angler catch of muskellunge? PLoS ONE, 9(5), e98046.Open-access analysis of 341,959 angler catches. It found more fish around the new and full moon, with a small overall effect of about 5%.
- Stoner, A. W. (2004). Effects of environmental variables on fish feeding ecology. Journal of Fish Biology, 65, 1445–1471.How light, temperature and other conditions affect feeding and catchability.
- U.S. Naval Observatory, Moon phase dataAn authoritative source for moon phase dates and times.