If It's August, This Must Be A Full Sturgeon Moon

Photo By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com

The first full moon in August 2025 is called the Sturgeon Moon. This name is traditionally given to the full moon that occurs in August, particularly in North America, due to the abundance of sturgeon fish in the Great Lakes during this time. 

According to the Farmers' Almanac, there are more than two dozen species of sturgeon worldwide, but August’s “Sturgeon Moon” is specifically associated with the lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), a North American freshwater fish that played a vital role as a food source for many Native American tribes and early settlers. The full Moon in August 2025, known as the “Sturgeon Moon,” reflects a time of abundant fishing, especially for lake sturgeon, in late summer. This Moon is also recognized by various other names across different cultures, each highlighting the season’s richness and the natural bounty it brings.

Full moons, including 2025’s Sturgeon Moon, occur when the moon sits opposite the sun, fully illuminated and rising close to sunset. This alignment bathes the night in a beautiful light, sharpening shadows creating ethereal landscapes. Throughout history, cultures have woven stories about how the full moon influences animals, tides, and even humans under its ghostly glow. From Chinese moon viewing festivals to American lakeside gatherings and farmers’ celebrations, these events capture the enduring pleasure of observing the moon’s familiar face shining brightly in the night sky.