April 11

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s over most of the lake. 

The bass bite continues to get better each week on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that many fish are on the bed with more fish yet to move up over the next few weeks.  As such, the best bet is fishing shallow throughout the day. 

An early bite on points with a small crankbait or spinnerbait is productive.  A swimbait is also working early and during the morning hours anywhere fish are chasing bait, and more topwater activity has been seen in the past week. 

Finally, soft plastics fished out to about 15 feet are also working well – and so it’s really a time when you can fish about any shallow pattern you prefer!

April 3

Lake Keowee is at 98.6% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-60s over most of the lake. 

It continues to be an excellent time to catch bass on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish are in heavy pre-spawn and spawning mode with many fish now on the bed.  Some of these fish are very shallow, but spotted bass are often found on beds out to 12 plus feet of water.  Shallow flats, cuts, boat docks, and points are all good locations currently. 

An early morning bite with a square-bill crankbait, swimbait, or spinnerbait is productive.  Soft plastics are working well in the spawning depth range all day.  More fish are being seen chasing bait on the surface in the morning hours as well so a topwater or swimbait should be nearby at all times.

March 27

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s. 

Water temperatures continue on an upward trajectory on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that, as a result, a nice wave of fish, both largemouth and spotted bass, are heading to shallow water. 

An early bite on points with a small crankbait, spinnerbait, or jerkbait is productive.  After the sun gets up, soft plastics or jigs in 5-15 feet of water are producing on the pre-spawn and bedding fish.  Prime areas are docks, rocky points, and sandy beaches. 

There are also some fish chasing bait in the backs of coves and creeks and these can be targeted with a small swimbait. 

Overall, this is a good time to be on the lake!  

March 21

Lake Keowee is at 97.9% of full pool and water clarity is high on the main lake – but the pollen level is also growing. After a brief cold front, morning surface water temperatures are getting back to the low-60s over most of the lake with mid-60s around the power plant again. 

The bass on Lake Keowee are continuing to move into shallow water for pre-spawn and spawning activity, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that many fish are now on the bed. However, the spawn will come in waves on Keowee and will last a couple of months. 

An early bite on points with a small crankbait, spinnerbait, or jerkbait is working.  Soft plastics will catch fish all day in typical spawning areas such as coves, docks, and more in 4-15 feet of water.  Some fish are occasionally chasing bait on the surface and a walking type bait or swimbait can be used to catch these fish - this activity will increase in the coming weeks. 

Overall, fishing is very good on the lake now.

March 15

Lake Keowee is at 97.7% of full pool and water clarity is normalizing. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low-60s over most of the lake with mid-60s around the power plant. 

The bass on Lake Keowee continue to migrate into their traditional spawning locations, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that – while there are some fish on the beds – the majority are still pre-spawn.  An early shallow bite on points can be found with a small crankbait or spinnerbait.  A small swimbait is also working along with a jerkbait on windy shorelines.  Soft plastics out to 20 feet around deeper docks and drop-offs are also productive.  

Some sporadic schooling activity is occurring in pockets where the bass have cornered bait so keep a topwater bait handy if surface activity is spotted. 

Overall, fishing is good and will only improve over the coming weeks.

March 8

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool and water clarity remains high on the main lake with stain in the backs of creeks – but heavy rains predicted over the weekend will like muddy the backs of major creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low-60s over most of the lake. 

Water temperatures have risen fast this week, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that just as quickly fish are moving up and there are likely fish on the bed in the mid-lake region already.  Expect a lot of fish to go on the bed with the next full moon. 

Fish can be caught shallow on jigs, plastic worms, and crankbaits throughout the day.  Swimbaits and jerkbaits are also working with windy shorelines and points being the better areas to focus.  There are still some fish deeper in the creeks that have not moved up yet, but more and more fish are coming shallow p each day with the warm weather. 

Overall, fishing is very good and bass can be caught on a variety of baits and techniques.

 

February 28

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool and water clarity remains high on the main lake with some light stain in the backs of major creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid- to upper 50s throughout most of the lake, with low 60s found mid-lake. 

Temperatures continue to climb on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass are becoming more active and moving shallower as a result.  An early bite with a spinnerbait, squarebill crankbait, or swimbait can be found on main lake points and back in creek channels.  A jerkbait will also produce off points, especially on windy days, and fishing soft plastics such as a shaky head on points in 10-20 feet is another option now. 

Some fish are also still in the creek channels in 30-40 feet and can be targeted with a drop shot. 

Overall, fishing is good and the bass are beginning to move quickly into a strong pre-spawn pattern. 

February 22

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool and water clarity remains high on the main lake with some stain in the backs of major creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are now mostly in the mid to upper 50s, with lower 60s found north of the Hot Hole to Crowe Creek. 

As water temperatures rise on Lake Keowee, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass continue to transition out of their winter pattern with more movement towards the banks each day.  Currently, fish can be targeted a number of ways.  A swimbait or jerkbait can be used for fish suspended off points in 15-30 feet of water.  Shallower fish can be targeted with soft plastics such as a shaky head out to 20 feet or so on points and around docks.  Some fish are still out in deeper water and a drop shot is effective in 30 plus feet of water. 

With the continued warm weather in the forecast, expect to see more movement toward the bank in the coming week.

February 17

Lake Keowee is at 98.6% of full pool and water clarity remains good on the main lake while there is some stain in the backs of major creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s around the nuclear plant and north for a few miles.  On the south end temperatures are in the high 50s, while on the north end they are in the low 50s.

As temperatures rise N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that we are getting into one of the times of the year where Keowee really does act like three different lakes due to the variation in water temperatures. 

Bass in the mid-lake are more actively roaming, up in the water column and in shallower water, while on the other two ends of the lake fish remain in a late winter pattern.  Swimbaits, jerkbaits, and soft plastics out to 20 feet or so are working – fish slower in the areas with cooler water temperatures. 

If the weather pattern remains warm over the next 2-3 weeks, expect to see a strong movement of fish towards the bank in the mid-lake region with some fish perhaps even going on the bed. 

February 8

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool and water clarity is good on the main lake while the backs of major creeks are stained. Water temperatures in the mid-50s are common on most of the lake, temperatures in the low-60s can be found just north of the nuclear plant, and the coldest water is at the Jocassee dam. 

With stable temperatures on Lake Keowee this week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the fishing pattern is still largely wintertime in nature – but the warming days and longer hours of sunlight mean that some bass are beginning to move up a bit.  For the wintertime pattern, a drop shot in deeper water around creek channel swings, drop-offs, and any deeper structure is working.  For the shallower pattern, a swimbait, jerkbait, jig, and shaky head on points out to 30 or so feet is productive.  Look for rocky areas that have been exposed to sunlight throughout the day for the best shallow bite.  

February 1

Lake Keowee is at 99.1% of full pool and the creeks remain stained. Water temperatures have remained stable the past week with mid-50s common on most of the lake and some water in the low-60s mid-lake. 

While many Lake Keowee bass remain in a wintertime pattern, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that is starting to change with more fish now showing up in shallower water.  For the winter fish, look in creek channels and swings in 30-50 feet of water with a drop shot or soft plastic.  For the shallower fish a jig, shaky head, or Texas rig fished around deeper docks and rocky points is a good strategy.  With no significant cold weather forecast over the coming weeks, expect to see more fish begin to move up. 

Many tournaments are being held on the lake and 12 pounds has been a good bag with 15 pounds often winning.

January 26

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and heavy rains again this week have the backs of major creeks stained to very stained.  The main lake remains relatively clear.  Water temperatures have likely hit the low of the year this past week with low 50s common on most of the lake with the highs right around 60 mid-lake.  More heavy rain is expected in the next day or two. 

Lake Keowee bass remain in a wintertime pattern, with N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reporting that many fish are in deep water around creek channels, ledges, and any structure on the bottom.  A drop shot out to 60 plus feet is the best bet for these fish.  A jerkbait or swimbait can be used for any suspended fish off points.  Soft plastics such as a shaky head or a jig can be used out to 30 feet or so on points as well.

January 18

Lake Keowee is at 98.9% of full pool and heavy rains over the past week have resulted in the backs of major creeks being muddy and the main lake has some stain as well.  Water temperatures over most of the lake are now in the low 50s with the exception being near the nuclear facility where they remain around 60 degrees.  

Lake Keowee bass remain in a strong wintertime pattern, with N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reporting that many fish are hugging the bottom around creek channels and drop-offs.  Finding areas holding schools of baitfish is key while using a dropshot or Damiki rig just off the bottom. 

A swimbait or jerkbait is also working around windy points after the sun has warmed up the rocks later in the day.  Soft plastics out to 30 feet will work but must be fished very slowly. 

An extended period of cold weather is here through the weekend so expect the water temperature to drop a few more degrees by next week.

January 11

Lake Keowee is at 99.4% of full pool and major rainfall on Tuesday has resulted in every major creek or drain becoming muddy.  The stain extends out to the main lake in some locations. Water temperatures remain in the low 50s over most of the lake.  The very back of creeks are in the high 40s, with the warmest water mid-lake around 60 degrees.

Fishing has slowed with the cooler weather and the impact of recent heavy rains, but overall N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass remain in a winter pattern.  Many are now very deep in creeks and off ledges in 60 plus feet of water.  A drop shot is the most productive bait for the deeper fish. 

Some fish can also be found on points in 20-35 feet of water and can be targeted with soft plastics or a jig. 

In the stained water, a slow-moving crankbait is the best bet in a bright color. 

January 4

Lake Keowee is at 97.6% of full pool and the backs of creeks are stained and Cane Creek is particularly stained all the way out to the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are most commonly in the low to mid-50s, although low to mid-60s are still present near the nuclear facility. 

Temperatures continue to slowly fall on Lake Keowee, and accordingly N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass remain in a winter pattern with a lot of fish chasing bait deep on the main lake around creek channels and drop-offs.  These fish can be targeted with a drop shot, spoon, or damiki-type rig. 

Some fish are suspended at times off points and can be targeted with a jerkbait, particularly on windy days. 

Soft plastics in the creek channels and steep banks out to 30 feet or so can also be used – this can also be effective on long points in the same depth. 

The winter-time bite has been fairly consistent this past week and no big changes are expected soon.