Sun & Moon
Sunrise, sunset times and prime fishing windows for Lake Cumberland
Why Timing Matters
On clear reservoirs like Lake Cumberland, the 90 minutes before and after sunrise/sunset are prime feeding times. Bass are more active and willing to move shallow during low-light periods, making these windows ideal for topwater and reaction baits.
Evening golden hour — prime time for topwater action
About Lunar Phases & Bass Fishing
The research says: Academic telemetry studies have found no repeatable movement or depth-use patterns tied to lunar periodicity in bass. Common solunar tables may have limited predictive value.
What matters: The strongest supported mechanism is night illumination—how bright the night is, not gravitational effects (tides are negligible in reservoirs).
Practical application: On Lake Cumberland's clearer water, moonlight can extend effective feeding/roaming later into the night. This doesn't guarantee better daytime fishing—it may shift when the bite happens.
For spawn: Major moon phases (full/new) may align with spawning activity when temperatures are in the right range, but temperature and photoperiod remain the primary biological drivers.
Last light on Cumberland — when the lake quiets and the bass move