Few topics in fishing create more arguments than moon phases.
Some anglers plan entire seasons around lunar calendars.
Others say it’s complete nonsense.
The truth sits in the middle:
👉 Moon phase matters — but far less than temperature, pressure, and wind.
If you treat the moon as a primary factor, you’ll miss good fishing.
If you treat it as a minor timing aid, it can help polish already-good conditions.
Let’s keep this practical.
Direct Answer
Moon phase can influence when carp feed, but it rarely determines if they feed.
Use moon data to fine-tune session timing — never to cancel trips.
Quick Start
- Temperature and weather matter more than moon
- Full moons often shift feeding to night
- New moons often improve daytime bites
- Solunar periods can help time windows — sometimes
- Use moon info as a tiebreaker, not a rule
- Never skip good conditions because of “bad moon”
The Moon Cycle (Quick Overview)
The moon runs a 29.5-day cycle:
- New Moon
- Waxing Crescent
- First Quarter
- Waxing Gibbous
- Full Moon
- Waning Gibbous
- Last Quarter
- Waning Crescent
Each phase changes nighttime light levels — and that’s the main influence on carp.
Not gravity.
Not magic.
Light.
Full Moon – Bright Nights, Mixed Results
Potential Positives
- Carp can feed confidently all night
- Natural prey more active
- Extended feeding windows
Potential Negatives
- Fish may do most feeding overnight
- Daytime fishing often feels “dead”
- Clear water + moonlight = spooky carp
Angler Insight
On pressured or clear waters, full moons often mean:
👉 great nights
👉 terrible days
If you fish full moons, prioritize:
- Overnight sessions
- Dawn immediately after night feeding
Day-only trips during full moon periods are frequently disappointing.
New Moon – Dark Nights, Daytime Opportunity
No moonlight.
Positives
- Carp feed less at night
- More daylight activity
- Strong dawn/dusk windows
Negatives
- Night sessions can be slower
- Total darkness reduces visual feeding
Angler Insight
If you’re a daytime angler, new moons often work in your favor.
Fish seem to “make up” for lost nighttime feeding.
I’ve had some excellent dawn-to-noon sessions during new moon periods.
Quarter Moons – The Balanced Phases
Often overlooked.
Moderate light.
Normal feeding rhythm.
No dramatic shifts.
These phases often produce the most predictable fishing.
Solunar Theory (Major & Minor Periods)
Solunar calendars show:
- Major periods (moon overhead/underfoot)
- Minor periods (moonrise/moonset)
The idea:
Fish activity increases during these windows.
Reality Check
Sometimes it lines up.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
My honest experience:
When conditions are already good (right temp, falling pressure, decent wind), solunar majors can coincide with feeding spikes.
When conditions are poor, solunar does nothing.
Angler Insight
Use solunar periods as a timing suggestion only.
Never cancel a session because solunar looks bad.
Temperature and weather beat solunar every time.
What Actually Matters About the Moon
Light levels.
That’s it.
Not mystical gravity.
Not lunar magnetism.
Light affects:
- Carp confidence
- Visual feeding ability
- Night vs day behavior
That’s the mechanism.
Combining Moon With Other Factors
Moon only matters when everything else is already right.
Examples:
Full Moon + Summer Heat
→ Fish feed at night, rest during day
New Moon + Spring Warmth
→ Strong daytime feeding
Any Moon + Falling Pressure + 65°F Water
→ Fish will feed regardless
Any Moon + 45°F Water + High Pressure
→ Slow fishing no matter what
Practical Moon Strategy
Here’s how to use it without overthinking:
1. Adjust Session Timing
- Full moon → night + dawn
- New moon → daytime + dusk
- Quarter moon → fish normally
2. Use as Tiebreaker
Choosing between two equal days?
Pick the one closer to full or new.
Otherwise ignore it.
3. Track Your Own Results
Log:
- Moon phase
- Time of bites
- Water temp
- Pressure trend
You’ll learn your own venues.
Moon Myths to Ignore
❌ “You can’t catch carp after a full moon”
❌ “New moon shuts feeding down”
❌ “Solunar is scientific fact”
❌ “Moon overrides temperature”
All false.
Carp eat whenever conditions allow.
The Confidence Factor
Here’s something real:
Believing in moon phases often makes anglers:
- Fish harder
- Pay more attention
- Stay longer
- Present better
That alone can improve results.
If moon tracking gives you confidence — use it.
Just don’t let it control you.
Michigan Notes
- Small clear inland lakes show moon effects more than big water
- Lake Michigan responds more to wind and temperature
- Full moons often push feeding to night in clear harbors
- New moons can improve daytime bites in spring
Key Takeaways
- Moon is minor compared to temperature, pressure, wind
- Full moon often = night feeding
- New moon often = better daytime fishing
- Solunar is optional
- Use moon as timing aid only
- Never skip good weather because of moon
- Light levels are the real driver
- Confidence matters
Next Steps
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Article 10: Oxygen Levels & Thermal Stratification
https://michigancarp.com/watercraft/watercraft-10-oxygen/
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