Solunar Tool · Updated 2026-05-09
Best Fishing Times
Free solunar fishing calendar for every Minnesota and Wisconsin lake. Calculates sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset and major/minor solunar periods from your lake's actual latitude and longitude.
Today (regional · America/Chicago)
Centered on northern MN/WI lake country. Sunrise 5:37 AM, sunset 8:23 PM. Moon is Last Quarter (47% illuminated). Day rating: ★☆☆☆☆.
Pick a lake below for an exact forecast at that lake's coordinates.
Regional 14-Day Calendar
| Date | Rating | Moon | Sunrise | Sunset | Major Periods | Minor Periods |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, May 9 | ★☆☆☆☆ | Last Quarter 47% lit | 5:37 AM | 8:23 PM | 6:04 AM – 8:04 AM | 1:51 AM – 2:51 AM 11:26 AM – 12:26 PM |
| Sun, May 10 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Waning Crescent 36% lit | 5:36 AM | 8:24 PM | 6:26 PM – 8:26 PM 6:49 AM – 8:49 AM | 2:12 AM – 3:12 AM 12:38 PM – 1:38 PM |
| Mon, May 11 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Waning Crescent 26% lit | 5:35 AM | 8:25 PM | 7:12 PM – 9:12 PM 7:34 AM – 9:34 AM | 2:30 AM – 3:30 AM 1:51 PM – 2:51 PM |
| Tue, May 12 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Waning Crescent 18% lit | 5:33 AM | 8:26 PM | 7:57 PM – 9:57 PM 8:20 AM – 10:20 AM | 2:48 AM – 3:48 AM 3:06 PM – 4:06 PM |
| Wed, May 13 | ½☆☆☆☆ | Waning Crescent 10% lit | 5:32 AM | 8:28 PM | 8:43 PM – 10:43 PM 9:07 AM – 11:07 AM | 3:06 AM – 4:06 AM 4:24 PM – 5:24 PM |
| Thu, May 14 | ★☆☆☆☆ | Waning Crescent 5% lit | 5:31 AM | 8:29 PM | 9:31 PM – 11:31 PM 9:57 AM – 11:57 AM | 3:25 AM – 4:25 AM 5:46 PM – 6:46 PM |
| Fri, May 15 | ★★☆☆☆ | Waning Crescent 1% lit | 5:30 AM | 8:30 PM | 10:23 PM – 12:23 AM 10:51 AM – 12:51 PM | 3:49 AM – 4:49 AM |
| Sat, May 16 | ★★½☆☆ | New Moon 0% lit | 5:28 AM | 8:31 PM | 11:20 PM – 1:20 AM 11:50 AM – 1:50 PM | 7:12 PM – 8:12 PM 4:18 AM – 5:18 AM |
| Sun, May 17 | ★★☆☆☆ | Waxing Crescent 1% lit | 5:27 AM | 8:33 PM | 12:22 AM – 2:22 AM 12:54 PM – 2:54 PM | 8:39 PM – 9:39 PM 4:58 AM – 5:58 AM |
| Mon, May 18 | ★☆☆☆☆ | Waxing Crescent 4% lit | 5:26 AM | 8:34 PM | 1:27 AM – 3:27 AM 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM 5:52 AM – 6:52 AM |
| Tue, May 19 | ½☆☆☆☆ | Waxing Crescent 9% lit | 5:25 AM | 8:35 PM | 2:34 AM – 4:34 AM 3:06 PM – 5:06 PM | 11:09 PM – 12:09 AM 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM |
| Wed, May 20 | ★½☆☆☆ | Waxing Crescent 16% lit | 5:24 AM | 8:36 PM | 3:37 AM – 5:37 AM 4:08 PM – 6:08 PM | 12:02 AM – 1:02 AM 8:19 AM – 9:19 AM |
| Thu, May 21 | ★★½☆☆ | Waxing Crescent 25% lit | 5:23 AM | 8:37 PM | 4:36 AM – 6:36 AM 5:04 PM – 7:04 PM | 12:40 AM – 1:40 AM 9:42 AM – 10:42 AM |
| Fri, May 22 | ★½☆☆☆ | Waxing Crescent 35% lit | 5:22 AM | 8:38 PM | 5:30 AM – 7:30 AM 5:55 PM – 7:55 PM | 1:08 AM – 2:08 AM 11:02 AM – 12:02 PM |
Server-rendered 14-day calendar starting 2026-05-09. Live in your browser shortly.
Featured Lakes — Solunar by Lake
Each lake has its own solunar calendar calculated at its actual latitude and longitude. Here are 24 of the most-fished lakes in MN and WI:
Don't see your lake? Search by name → Every lake on LakeQuality has its own solunar page.
How Solunar Times Work
Solunar theory was popularized by John Alden Knight in his 1926 book of the same name. Knight observed that fish and game were most active at predictable times tied to the sun and moon — specifically, when the moon was overhead, underfoot, rising, or setting.
Today's solunar calendars compute four key lunar events per day:
- Lunar transit — moon at the meridian (highest in the sky)
- Lunar opposition — moon directly underfoot, on the far side of Earth
- Moonrise — moon crosses above the horizon
- Moonset — moon drops below the horizon
Major periods last about 2 hours, centered on transit and opposition. Minor periods last about 1 hour, centered on rise and set. Day ratings reach 4–5 stars when major periods overlap with dawn or dusk and the moon is near new or full.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is solunar theory?
Solunar theory, popularized by John Alden Knight in 1926, holds that fish (and game) are most active during specific periods governed by the position of the sun and moon. Major periods occur when the moon is overhead or directly underfoot. Minor periods occur at moonrise and moonset. Activity intensifies near new and full moons when lunar gravity is strongest.
When is the best time to fish?
The strongest fishing windows generally combine three factors: (1) a major or minor solunar period, (2) the dawn or dusk twilight, and (3) a few days surrounding the new moon or full moon. When all three line up, expect peak feeding activity. The 30–90 minutes after sunrise and before sunset are reliably productive even outside major periods.
Does the moon phase really affect fishing?
Studies are mixed, but most experienced anglers report a perceptible difference. Lunar gravity influences tides, and lake fish — particularly walleye, bass, and muskies — appear to feed more aggressively in the days surrounding new and full moons. The effect is strongest at night and in low-light conditions.
What is the difference between major and minor solunar periods?
Major periods last about 2 hours and are centered on lunar transit (moon at the meridian) and lunar opposition (moon directly underfoot, on the far side of Earth). Minor periods last about 1 hour and are centered on moonrise and moonset. Major periods generally produce stronger fishing activity than minor periods.
How accurate are the times in this calendar?
Sunrise and sunset times are computed using NOAA-equivalent astronomical formulas with accuracy of about ±2 minutes. Moonrise, moonset and lunar transit are computed using Meeus low-precision formulas with accuracy of about ±5 minutes at lat 30–60°N. Times are shown in Central Time (America/Chicago) and adjust automatically for daylight saving.