Solunar Tool · Updated 2026-06-22
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 5:11 AM, sunset 9:00 PM. Moon is First Quarter (50% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jun 22 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | First Quarter 50% lit | 5:11 AM | 9:00 PM | 6:05 PM – 8:05 PM 6:27 AM – 8:27 AM | 12:27 AM – 1:27 AM 1:41 PM – 2:41 PM |
| Tue, Jun 23 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Waxing Gibbous 61% lit | 5:11 AM | 9:00 PM | 6:48 PM – 8:48 PM 7:09 AM – 9:09 AM | 12:43 AM – 1:43 AM 2:50 PM – 3:50 PM |
| Wed, Jun 24 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Waxing Gibbous 71% lit | 5:11 AM | 9:00 PM | 7:31 PM – 9:31 PM 7:53 AM – 9:53 AM | 1:01 AM – 2:01 AM 3:59 PM – 4:59 PM |
| Thu, Jun 25 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Waxing Gibbous 80% lit | 5:12 AM | 9:01 PM | 8:15 PM – 10:15 PM 8:38 AM – 10:38 AM | 1:23 AM – 2:23 AM 5:07 PM – 6:07 PM |
| Fri, Jun 26 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Waxing Gibbous 88% lit | 5:12 AM | 9:01 PM | 9:01 PM – 11:01 PM 9:25 AM – 11:25 AM | 1:49 AM – 2:49 AM 6:12 PM – 7:12 PM |
| Sat, Jun 27 | ★☆☆☆☆ | Waxing Gibbous 94% lit | 5:13 AM | 9:01 PM | 9:49 PM – 11:49 PM 10:14 AM – 12:14 PM | 2:21 AM – 3:21 AM |
| Sun, Jun 28 | ★½☆☆☆ | Waxing Gibbous 98% lit | 5:13 AM | 9:01 PM | 10:39 PM – 12:39 AM 11:04 AM – 1:04 PM | 7:14 PM – 8:14 PM 3:02 AM – 4:02 AM |
| Mon, Jun 29 | ★★½☆☆ | Full Moon 100% lit | 5:14 AM | 9:00 PM | 11:29 PM – 1:29 AM 11:55 AM – 1:55 PM | 8:08 PM – 9:08 PM 3:52 AM – 4:52 AM |
| Tue, Jun 30 | ★★☆☆☆ | Full Moon 100% lit | 5:14 AM | 9:00 PM | 12:20 AM – 2:20 AM 12:45 PM – 2:45 PM | 8:53 PM – 9:53 PM 4:51 AM – 5:51 AM |
| Wed, Jul 1 | ★½☆☆☆ | Waning Gibbous 97% lit | 5:15 AM | 9:00 PM | 1:10 AM – 3:10 AM 1:34 PM – 3:34 PM | 9:29 PM – 10:29 PM 5:57 AM – 6:57 AM |
| Thu, Jul 2 | ½☆☆☆☆ | Waning Gibbous 92% lit | 5:15 AM | 9:00 PM | 1:58 AM – 3:58 AM 2:21 PM – 4:21 PM | 9:58 PM – 10:58 PM 7:06 AM – 8:06 AM |
| Fri, Jul 3 | ☆☆☆☆☆ | Waning Gibbous 86% lit | 5:16 AM | 9:00 PM | 2:43 AM – 4:43 AM 3:06 PM – 5:06 PM | 10:21 PM – 11:21 PM 8:16 AM – 9:16 AM |
| Sat, Jul 4 | ★½☆☆☆ | Waning Gibbous 78% lit | 5:17 AM | 8:59 PM | 3:27 AM – 5:27 AM 3:49 PM – 5:49 PM | 10:40 PM – 11:40 PM 9:26 AM – 10:26 AM |
| Sun, Jul 5 | ★★½☆☆ | Waning Gibbous 68% lit | 5:17 AM | 8:59 PM | 4:11 AM – 6:11 AM 4:32 PM – 6:32 PM | 10:58 PM – 11:58 PM 10:37 AM – 11:37 AM |
Server-rendered 14-day calendar starting 2026-06-22. 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.