August's full moon — named for the giant sturgeon once caught in abundance in the Great Lakes. The lore, the look, and how to see it.
Short answer
The Sturgeon Moon is August's full moon, named by Great Lakes tribes for the giant lake sturgeon most easily caught at this time of year. A late-summer moon, it still rides fairly low and often glows warm and golden near the horizon.
When is the Sturgeon Moon?
August's full moon — the date shifts a little each year.See 2026 calendar
Why "Sturgeon"?
The name comes from the tribes around the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, where the prehistoric-looking lake sturgeon were most readily caught in late summer. The same August moon was also called the Green Corn Moon, the Grain Moon, and the Red Moon for the reddish tint it often takes through summer haze.
What it looks like
As a late-summer full moon, the Sturgeon Moon still follows a relatively low path and spends a long time near the horizon, where summer haze and extra atmosphere often lend it a warm amber or reddish tint at moonrise.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
Because August was when the large lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes were most easily caught, according to the Native American tribes of that region.
Why does the Sturgeon Moon look reddish?
Late-summer haze and its low path mean its light passes through extra, often hazy atmosphere near the horizon, which can give it a warm red or amber tint.