Best Fishing Times in Ames, Iowa
Today's solunar bite forecast for Ames — major and minor feeding periods, weather conditions, and a 7-day outlook. Times shown in local time.
Today — Mon, Jul 27
Best window: 10:53 AM to 12:53 PM
- • Full Moon — peak solunar period
- • Stable barometric pressure
- • Light chop (6 mph wind) breaks up the surface
- • Extreme heat — fish early or late
Feeding periods
| Period | Time | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | 3:01 AM – 4:31 AM | Moonset |
| Major | 10:53 AM – 12:53 PM | Moon underfoot |
| Minor☀ boost | 7:08 PM – 8:38 PM | Moonrise |
Conditions
- Sunrise
- 6:03 AM
- Sunset
- 8:38 PM
- Moonrise
- 7:53 PM
- Moonset
- 3:46 AM
- Moon phase
- Full Moon (97%)
- Temperature
- 78–96°F
- Wind
- 6 mph (gusts 13)
- Cloud cover
- 2%
- Pressure trend
- -0.9 hPa → steady
7-Day Bite Outlook for Ames
Mon, Jul 27
11:53 AM
78–96°F
Tue, Jul 28
12:18 AM
72–89°F
Wed, Jul 29
1:07 AM
68–90°F
Thu, Jul 30
1:53 AM
64–77°F
Fri, Jul 31
2:38 AM
63–68°F
Sat, Aug 1
3:21 AM
60–80°F
Sun, Aug 2
4:04 AM
64–82°F
Score = solunar strength adjusted for barometric trend, wind, cloud and precipitation. Time shown is the center of each day's best window.
Fishing in Ames: FAQ
When is the best time to fish in Ames today?
Today's strongest bite window in Ames is 10:53 AM to 12:53 PM (full moon). The overall bite score is 72/100 — good. Major feeding periods follow the moon's overhead and underfoot passes; minors follow moonrise and moonset.
What are major and minor feeding periods?
Solunar theory holds that fish feed most actively when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 hours) and around moonrise and moonset (minor periods, about 90 minutes). Windows that overlap sunrise or sunset are historically the strongest.
Does weather change the bite in Ames?
Yes. A falling barometer ahead of a front typically triggers heavy feeding, while a sharp rise after a front slows it. Light wind that ripples the surface and cloud cover both extend feeding activity. Our daily score combines these factors with the solunar calendar.
Fishing times near Ames
Before you go
Check Iowa fishing regulations — license requirements, size and bag limits — before your trip.