Why it's called the Sturgeon Moon
August's full moon is the Sturgeon Moon, named by fishing nations around the Great Lakes for the giant, ancient fish most readily caught in late summer. Sturgeon have swum essentially unchanged for over 100 million years — the moon is named after a living fossil.
The Sturgeon Moon in the sky
The Sturgeon Moon begins the climb back: each full moon from here rises noticeably earlier and arcs a little higher as the year tilts toward autumn. August's warm, darkening nights make it a favourite for moonrise-watching.
What the Sturgeon Moon means
Its theme is deep patience — the sturgeon's own virtue. In moon practice the Sturgeon Moon suits long-arc work: things measured in years, tended calmly, unbothered by any single month's results.
When is the next Sturgeon Moon?
28 August 2026 at 04:19 UTC.
Why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
After the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes, most easily caught in late summer — the naming tradition of the region’s fishing nations.
What are sturgeon?
Among the oldest fish alive: large, long-lived bottom-feeders essentially unchanged for over 100 million years.