Best Fishing Times in Des Moines, Iowa
Today's solunar bite forecast for Des Moines — major and minor feeding periods, weather conditions, and a 7-day outlook. Times shown in local time.
Today — Wed, Aug 12
Best window: 11:55 PM to 1:55 AM
- • New Moon — peak solunar period
- • Stable barometric pressure
- • Light chop (6 mph wind) breaks up the surface
- • Cloud cover (42%) keeps fish shallow longer
- • Light rain can turn the bite on
Feeding periods
| Period | Time | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Major | 11:55 PM – 1:55 AM | Moon underfoot |
| Minor☀ boost | 5:18 AM – 6:48 AM | Moonrise |
| Major | 12:22 PM – 2:22 PM | Moon overhead |
| Minor☀ boost | 7:41 PM – 9:11 PM | Moonset |
Conditions
- Sunrise
- 6:20 AM
- Sunset
- 8:18 PM
- Moonrise
- 6:03 AM
- Moonset
- 8:26 PM
- Moon phase
- New Moon (0%)
- Temperature
- 74–83°F
- Wind
- 6 mph (gusts 17)
- Cloud cover
- 42%
- Pressure trend
- +0.8 hPa → steady
- Rain chance
- 60%
7-Day Bite Outlook for Des Moines
Wed, Aug 12
12:55 AM
74–83°F
Thu, Aug 13
1:48 AM
69–82°F
Fri, Aug 14
2:37 AM
73–81°F
Sat, Aug 15
3:23 AM
70–90°F
Sun, Aug 16
4:08 AM
66–80°F
Mon, Aug 17
4:52 AM
62–85°F
Tue, Aug 18
5:37 AM
62–91°F
Score = solunar strength adjusted for barometric trend, wind, cloud and precipitation. Time shown is the center of each day's best window.
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Fishing in Des Moines: FAQ
When is the best time to fish in Des Moines today?
Today's strongest bite window in Des Moines is 11:55 PM to 1:55 AM (new moon). The overall bite score is 91/100 — excellent. 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 Des Moines?
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 Des Moines
- Pleasant Hill, IA
- Windsor Heights, IA
- Saylorville, IA
- West Des Moines, IA
- Urbandale, IA
- Clive, IA
- Johnston, IA
- Altoona, IA
Lakes near Des Moines
Before you go
Check Iowa fishing regulations — license requirements, size and bag limits — before your trip. Planning further out? See the Iowa best-fishing-days calendar.