Weather-based grades are not available for these dates. Lunar indicators describe moon phase and feeding-period timing.
Choose a location to get local times and weather-based grades where available. Select a date for its timing details.
Planning for August
August is the hardest month for many species and the best for a few. Sustained heat pushes water temperatures past what coolwater fish tolerate comfortably, oxygen drops in still water, and the daytime bite narrows to the low-light hours at either end. Late in the month the first cool nights start reversing this, and that shift is often the most productive stretch of the second half of summer.
Summer tactics and species
Summer means early morning and late evening are prime. Fish deeper, cooler water during midday heat. Night fishing can be exceptional during full moon periods. Target structure and shade during bright conditions.
Lunar indicators describe moon phase and feeding-period timing, not fishing conditions. Weather and water temperature are not included. National timing uses a Central US reference.
Get the full A+ to F grade for your water at bestdaystofish.com
Moon Phase Calendar
🌑New Moon
August 2, August 31
Top moon-phase score in our rating
🌕Full Moon
August 16, August 17
Top moon-phase score in our rating
Major & Minor Feeding Periods
Major Periods (about 2 hours)
Centered on the moon passing overhead or underfoot. Solunar theory treats these as the strongest feeding windows of the day; our full forecast uses them to shape the best hours.
Minor Periods (about 1 hour)
Centered on moonrise and moonset. Solunar theory's secondary feeding windows.
Best Fishing Days in August 2027
The strongest lunar dates in August 2027 are August 1, August 2, August 16, August 17, August 3, ranked by solunar activity, moon phase, and the strength of each day's major and minor feeding periods. Those are the factors a national calendar can actually know. Water temperature moves a fishing grade far more than the moon does, and it depends entirely on where you fish, so enter your location for a full grade that adds water temperature, weather, and barometric pressure.
August is the hardest month for many species and the best for a few. Sustained heat pushes water temperatures past what coolwater fish tolerate comfortably, oxygen drops in still water, and the daytime bite narrows to the low-light hours at either end. Late in the month the first cool nights start reversing this, and that shift is often the most productive stretch of the second half of summer.
Want it on the boat or the fridge? This page doubles as a free printable fishing calendar for August 2027. Use the Print or Save as PDF button at the top and your browser produces a clean one-page PDF of the whole month, grades and moon phases included.
What the Fish Are Doing in August
Pre-spawn (2 species)
Chinook Salmon, Kokanee feed hard before spawning in August. Select one of them for your location and its forecast adds up to 9 points while the water says it is staging. Look for chinook salmon on staging off river mouths and in the harbors 20-60 ft.
Spawning (4 species)
Red Snapper, Snook, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna spawn during August. Fish on beds are harder to tempt, so a forecast for one of these species lowers the grade while the water says the fish are spawning. Target pre-spawn and post-spawn species instead, or fish deeper staging areas nearby.