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Full Moon in August 2025: The Full Sturgeon Moon

Full Sturgeon Moon OFA with text
Photo Credit
Colleen Quinnell

Catch the Full Sturgeon Moon

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

August’s Full Sturgeon Moon will peak on Saturday, August 9. Why do we call is the Sturgeon Moon? Is it full of fish? We’ll explain what makes the August Moon special and how to view this gorgeous summer sight best. 

When to See the Full Moon in August 2025

August’s full Moon will crest on Saturday, August 9, reaching peak illumination at 3:55 A.M. Eastern Time. Look up on the evening of Friday, August 8, to catch a spectacular view of the full summer Moon. You can convert 3:55 A.M. Eastern Time to your time zone using our tool.

Why Is It Called the Sturgeon Moon?

The full Moon of August is traditionally called the “Sturgeon Moon.”

Read Next

The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac have different origins, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the full Moon.

The Sturgeon Moon

The name Sturgeon Moon comes from the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain; this native freshwater fish was readily caught during this part of summer and an important food staple for Native Americans who lived in the region. At one time, the lake sturgeon was quite abundant in late summer, though they are rarer today.

What Is a Sturgeon?

These prehistoric-looking fish have been traced back to around 136 million years ago, and many people call them “living fossils.”

  • Females require around 20 years to start reproducing, and they can reproduce only every 4 years. However, they can live up to 150 years!
  • Today, there are about 29 species worldwide, including the lake sturgeon found in the Great Lakes. They have evolved in size from the size of a bass to a monster sturgeon as big as a Volkswagen.
  • The lake sturgeon is quite rare today, due to intense overfishing in the 19th century, pollution, and damage to their habitat.
The word "sturgeon" means "the stirrer," which is what this giant fish does when it is looking for food.
The word “sturgeon” means “the stirrer,” which is what this giant fish does when it is looking for food; it stirs up the mud and silt on river and lake bottoms. Notice the pointed snout and whisker-like tactile organs near the mouth. Credit: Tennessee Aquarium.

Alternative August Moon Names

Flying Up Moon is a Cree term describing the time when young birds are finally ready to take the leap and learn to fly. 

Corn Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe), Harvest Moon (Dakota), and Ricing Moon (Anishinaabe) signify that this is the time to gather maturing crops. Along the same vein, the Assiniboine people named this period Black Cherries Moon, referring to when chokecherries become ripe.

The Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest traditionally called this time of the season the Mountain Shadows Moon.

→ See all Full Moon names and their meanings.

Moon Phases for August 2025

See Moon phase dates and times below. Note: All dates and times are ET. Go to the Moon Phase Calendar for your time zone.

First Quarter: August 1, 8:41 A.M.
Full Moon: August 9, 3:55 A.M.
Last Quarter: August 16, 1:12 A.M.
New Moon: August 23, 2:06 A.M.
First Quarter: August 31, 2:25 A.M.

→ For your next full Moon, see our Full Moon Dates chart.

Full Sturgeon Moon Video

Each month, we will explain the traditional names of the Full Moon along with some fascinating facts. In this video, learn about the Full Sturgeon Moon. Click below to watch the video.

Best Days in August 2025

Below are the best days for activities, according to the Moon’s sign and phase in August.

ActivityBest Days
Cutting Hay12, 13
Set Eggs7, 8, 16, 17
Fishing1-9, 23-31

→ See Best Days for MORE activities.

Moon Folklore

  • Clothes washed for the first time in the full Moon will not last long.
  • If you glimpse the new Moon over your right shoulder, you will have good luck.
  • To have a project prosper, start it during the new Moon.
  • Babies born a day after the full Moon enjoy success and endurance.

Share your thoughts about this month’s moon below!

Full Moon Names
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Gay G.</span> Tue, 08/08/2017 - 17:17
1. The FA has to be more mainstream and more people need to know about it. I am really enjoying all you have on these pages, which I found by accident! 2. The moon tonight (August 8, 2017) is just magnificent in Rockville, MD. 3. My Cairn Terrier and my Yorkies are out on the deck, looking up at the moon! Wonder what they know... 4. Thanks so much for all your planting/gardening/recipe/etc. ideas. Reminds me of being home, on the farm, in New Jersey, when I was a little girl. : ) Thanks again, Gay
<span>Crystal</span> Mon, 08/07/2017 - 21:39
First time
<span>Alejandro Alvarado</span> Mon, 08/07/2017 - 11:56
Thank you for your never ending help with your almanac! I have enjoyed it's many uses for years!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/07/2017 - 12:22

Why, thank you, Alejandro! We appreciate your interest in The Old Farmer's Almanac. Your kind words made our day. With all good wishes, your editors in Dublin, New Hampshire.

 <span>Lloyd</span> Sun, 08/06/2017 - 12:25
High in the sky at night a moon its in its full bloom , past the summer equinox to pick some things you have planted in your gardens the next day enjoy your fruits an labours .
<span>Robin</span> Thu, 08/18/2016 - 19:06
So glad to reconnect with the Farmer's Almanaci
<span>Dana Sebek</span> Wed, 08/17/2016 - 20:42
the moon info was so interesting and I learned a lot!
<span>Nicole Makowski</span> Wed, 08/17/2016 - 04:18
Thank u for keeping us all informed of the latest full moon. I trust the Farmer's Almanac, as I have seen the printed copies and even bought them, before. I can most definitely feel the energy surrounding the waxing of the full moon, but like the gentleman states in the comments below, the cycles of the moon are most affecting. I had an old Drama professor in college who would always schedule our plays/productions around the full moon's cycle. The weekend before the full moon was to was the fullest, he felt, had the best energy. To this day, I have kept that in mind. Thanks for enlightening us all on the various types of moons; ie: Strawberry, Blue, Sturgeon, etc. Enjoy, everyone!
<span>Nicole Makowski</span> Wed, 08/17/2016 - 04:22
Correction to previous: "was to wax, was the fullest, & had the best energy."
<span>Col</span> Thu, 08/11/2016 - 22:36
Thank you! I love this Almanac! Keep up this work! I must say, I am firing up, as the moon waxes and becomes full only to be more tired as it wanes! Is it me? Or do I react to my wife's women's cycle? It's great being here though, in the waxing! Great dreams! Full energy! But, what goes up, must come down!