‘Sturgeon Moon’ to rise over Ontario next month

Ontario residents will have a chance to spot the Sturgeon Moon next month, a full moon named for the massive freshwater fish that were once plentiful in late summer.

According to The Farmers’ Almanac, the Sturgeon Moon takes its name from the large lake sturgeon once commonly found in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.

These freshwater fish were more easily caught in late summer, becoming an important food source for Indigenous communities in the region. The word “sturgeon” itself means “the stirrer,” describing how the fish moves along lakebeds in search of food.

Sturgeon are often called “living fossils,” with origins dating back 136 million years. Lake sturgeon can live up to 150 years, but are now considered rare due to overfishing, pollution and habitat loss, according to the Farmers’ Almanac website.

Other traditional names for the August moon reflect midsummer abundance and natural change. The Cree call it the Flying Up Moon, marking the time when young birds are ready to leave the nest. Crop-based names like the Corn Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe), Harvest Moon (Dakota), and Ricing Moon (Anishinaabe) speak to the gathering of ripening fields. The Assiniboine refer to it as the Black Cherries Moon, and the Tlingit call it the Mountain Shadows Moon.

The Sturgeon Moon will reach peak illumination at 3:55 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Aug. 9. Since it will be below the horizon at that time, the best view will be on the night of Friday, Aug. 8, by looking southeast after sunset.

Here’s a look at August’s lunar schedule:

• First Quarter: Aug. 1 at 8:41 a.m.
• Full Moon: Aug. 9 at 3:55 a.m.
• Last Quarter: Aug. 16 at 1:12 a.m.
• New Moon: Aug. 23 at 2:06 a.m.
• First Quarter: Aug. 31 at 2:25 a.m.

The Farmer’s Almanac also highlights optimal days for certain activities tied to the Moon’s phase. The best days to cut hay are Aug. 12 and 13. For setting eggs, Aug. 7, 8, 16, and 17 are recommended. If you’re heading out to fish, the most favourable dates are Aug. 1 to 9 and Aug. 23 to 31.