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.

December 29

Lake Keowee is at 97.7% of full pool and, while water clarity remains good on the main lake, heavy rains over the past few days have resulted in the backs of major creeks becoming stained to muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 50s over most of the lake but remain in the low 60s near the nuclear facility.    

Bass remain in a winter pattern on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish are now located in ditches, creek channels, river swings, ledges and drop-offs.  These fish can be found out to 80 feet of water with a jigging spoon, drop shot, or blade bait. 

Some fish remain off points or chasing bait in deeper water and can be targeted with a jerkbait.  Shallower fish on points, rock, and around deeper docks can be targeted with a jig. 

With cooler weather on the way, expect the low water temperatures of the year to be present in the next 4-6 weeks.

December 21

Lake Keowee is at 97.8% of full pool and water clarity remains very high on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low to mid-50s over most of the lake with the warmest water mid-lake around 60 degrees.    

Water temperatures have continued to fall over the lake, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that, for the most part, bass are now in a traditional winter pattern. Many fish are found in deeper water (40 plus feet) along creek channels, channel swings, and ledges.  Areas with large amounts of baitfish are the best with a drop shot, spoon, or jig on the bottom. 

In the mid-lake where it is warmer more fish are still shallow, and a jerkbait on points can be effective here as well. 

December 8

Lake Keowee is at 99.0% of full pool and water clarity remains very high on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low 60s over most of the lake.  

Water temperatures have fallen a bit more this week, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that many fish have moved into more traditional winter spots such as creek channels, deep drop-offs in creeks, ledges, etc. in water depths from 50-75 feet.  These fish can be targeted with a drop shot, spoon, blade bait, or jig on the bottom. 

Some fish can also be caught on a jerkbait off points and humps where bait is present.  Sunny afternoons will have some fish pulling up around docks to take advantage of the warmer water and can be targeted with soft plastics. 

Overall, fishing remains very good on the lake and it is nice to be on the water absent the wakeboard boats!

November 30

Lake Keowee is at 98.7% of full pool and water clarity is very high on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low 60s over most of the lake with the warmest water mid-lake near the nuclear facility.

Water temperatures have fallen more quickly this past week with the cold weather, and as a result N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that a good wave of bass have begun moving toward deeper, wintertime locations in the mouths of creeks, around deep ledges and drop-offs, and near channel swings.  These fish can be caught with a drop shot, spoon, or jig in fifty plus feet of water. 

Some fish are also suspended off secondary points in areas where bait is found and they can be targeted with a jerkbait or small swimbait.  Finding areas holding schools of shad or blueback herring is a key to the location where these schools of bass are present. 

Overall, fishing remains good on the lake as we move into winter patterns.

November 25

Lake Keowee is at 97.6% of full pool but levels continue to fluctuate significantly, and water clarity is very high on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid-60s over most of the lake.

As water temperatures continue to drop N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass continue to move into more of a winter-time pattern with a good bite in major creeks being found in 40-60 feet of water with a drop shot or small spoon.  Some bait has also migrated to the back of some creeks and sporadic schooling is taking place in areas with large quantities of bait fish.  Soft plastics are still working out to 20 feet or so on secondary points and around deeper docks. 

Overall, fishing remains good on the lake as we transition to winter.

November 16

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the 60s over most of the lake.

Finally water temperatures are dropping, and as they slowly fall N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that a good migration of bait and spotted bass into the creeks has been the result.  Less action can be found on the main lake.

There is a very good bite in 40-50 feet of water or so in most of the major creeks – look for bait and, if it is there, spotted bass will be around.  A drop shot, small spoon, or swimbait can be used to target these fish.  There are also some fish shallow, out to 20 feet or so, that can be targeted with soft plastics.  Some sporadic schooling activity is still occurring at times so have a topwater handy. 

Overall, this is an excellent time for numbers on the lake.

November 9

Lake Keowee is at 96.8% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 70s over most of the lake.

For yet another week water temperatures on Lake Keowee stubbornly refuse to drop into the 60s, and as a result N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the bass are still in an early (instead of late) fall pattern.  Much bait remains on the main lake, with a slow transition of bait moving into the major creeks.

An early morning bite with crankbaits and spinnerbaits on main lake points is still a good starting place.  Then throughout the day fish can be caught on soft plastics out to 20 feet or so on the main lake. Also try long points with a topwater or swimbait. 

In the creeks, use a drop shot or small spoon in 35 plus feet for the fish that have already arrived.  Expect to see a quick migration of a lot of fish into the creeks in the next couple of weeks. 

Overall, fishing is good but keep moving around until bait is found in an area.

November 2

Lake Keowee is at 97.4% of full pool and water clarity is even higher than normal. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to about 70 degrees over most of the lake.

With the cooler weather water temperatures have really dropped on Lake Keowee, and as a result N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the bass have started to transition into the creeks following schools of bait.  This pattern should only accelerate in the coming days. 

The early morning bite has diminished a bit, but first thing some fish can still be caught on a square-bill crankbait or spinnerbait on both main lake and creek points.  A good topwater bite in pockets is also present early, and on the main lake you can find some fish chasing bait on top later in the morning and afternoon.  They can be caught with a topwater, small spoon, or drop shot rig when they go down. 

Fishing is good on the lake and should get even better over the next couple of weeks.

Finally, with low water levels Charles reminds anglers to watch out for any shallow areas and shoal markers. 

October 27

Lake Keowee is at 97.3% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures over most of the lake are still around the mid-70s. 

With the warm weather this past week water temperatures have fallen only slightly on the lake, and as a result N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the bass pattern remains in a fall transition with many fish still on the main lake feeding on schools of baitfish.  These fish can be targeted early on points with topwater lures, spinnerbaits, or square-bill crankbaits. 

After the sun gets up, focus on points on the main lake and the mouth of major creeks where bait is present.  There has been a little more schooling activity each day and this trend will continue. 

There are also some fish beginning to move into creeks and they can be targeted with a drop shot in 40-50 feet of water.  Expect the transition to pick up steam next week with the cold weather forecasted to be moving in.

October 19

Lake Keowee is up to 98.5% of full pool and the main lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures over most of the lake are now in the mid-70s. 

Cooler weather is having a significant impact on water temperatures, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that as temperatures drop bass continue to be more active as we move into a more definite fall pattern. 

An early bite with a square-bill crankbait or spinnerbait on points is working.  Topwater lures such as a buzzbait are also producing early. 

As the sun rises, the topwater bite can continue in creeks and pockets with bait present.  There is still a lot of bait on the main lake and those fish can be targeted with a drop-shot rig, spoon, or topwater depending on their depth.  Having the boat in 40-50' of water off main lake points has been productive for these fish. 

Bait is also now starting to migrate into the major creeks and this trend will continue in the coming weeks.  More surface schooling activity is being noted every day, particularly mid- to late afternoon.  Have a walking bait ready at all times. 

Fishing is good on the lake and should only get better over the next few weeks.

October 12

Lake Keowee is at 96.9% of full pool and the main lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 77-80 degrees, with the coolest water in the backs of creeks and on the north end of the lake. 

Water temperatures continue to slowly drop on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson(864-324-2065) reports that as a result fish are more active each week. 

An early bite on points and wind-blown shorelines with a crankbait or topwater is working.  The topwater bite is lasting longer each morning and can extend throughout the day if weather conditions are right. 

Schooling activity is present at times and should become more common over the next couple of weeks. 

Fish can also be targeted shallow with soft plastics as well as deep with a drop shot.  

October 7

Lake Keowee is at 96.9% of full pool and the main lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 80 degrees over most of the lake. 

With the warm weather this past week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that water temperatures have held pretty steady. However, cooler weather starting this weekend should result in temperatures dropping a few degrees over the next couple of weeks. 

Overall, fishing is good as the spotted bass are moving into more of a fall pattern.  An early bite on points and windy shorelines with a square-bill crankbait or spinnerbait is producing fish.  As the sun rises a topwater bite can be found in coves and creeks where baitfish are present.  This topwater bite can be extended throughout the day in areas holding bait. 

Fish can also be caught on soft plastics out to 20 feet or so on points.  Small 4-inch worms are working best on this pattern. 

Expect the fishing to continue to improve over the coming weeks as the water cools into the mid 70s.