April 8

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool and the backs of major creeks are stained to muddy due to recent heavy rains. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s over most of the lake. 

It continues to be an outstanding time to fish Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish remain in a strong pre-spawn and spawning pattern with many fish currently on beds.  The best bite is with soft plastics in the 5-15 foot range around docks, flats and points.  Perhaps because fish are so intent on spawning there have only been very limited results with an early crankbait and topwater bite.

Fishing overall is very good for numbers and quality of fish.

March 31

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool and clarity is normal (good). Morning surface water temperatures remain in the low 60s over most of the lake.

Spawning activity is now widespread over Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish can be targeted around docks, laydowns, points and any structure that might be conducive to bedding.  Spotted bass will spawn out to about 16 feet, so don’t only concentrate on very shallow water.

With fish at this stage soft plastics are the best bet, but an early morning crankbait and topwater bite can be found on points and shallow humps.  Fishing wind-blown shorelines with a spinnerbait is also productive. 

It’s a great time to be on the lake for shallow fishing, and now fishing out of the Falcon F20 Predator Charles invites people to consider fishing with him in this great boat! 

March 25

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool and clarity is normal (good). Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s over most of the lake.

While windy conditions made for difficult fishing a few days last week, N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that a spring pattern continues to develop on the lake.  Some fish are on the bed and this will last for a number of week over different sections of the lake.  Fish can be caught shallow (less than 20 feet) on soft plastics around shorelines and docks.  A crankbait and spinnerbait can also be effective on shallow points and wind-blown shorelines.  Some fish are also chasing bait in coves so having a top water bait handy is always a good idea. 

 

March 17

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped back into the high 50s over most of the lake.

Despite the cold snap that dropped temperatures, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that water temperatures are rebounding and fish are rapidly moving towards shallow water. A strong pre-spawn and spawn bite will be happening over the next few weeks and the upcoming BFL tournament here Saturday should result in good heavy limits.  There are also still some fish deep as the spawn on Keowee lasts quite a few weeks due to the different temperatures across the lake. 

Look for fish chasing bait halfway back in coves early in the morning and throughout the day when it’s cloudy.  A topwater, jerkbait, or swimbait is effective.  Soft plastics are working for the fish moving up to spawn, and a spinnerbait is a good choice on wind-blown shorelines. 

Overall, fishing is excellent on the lake and that should continue for the coming weeks.

 

March 12

Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool and clarity is normal. Water temperatures have remained stable this past week and they are now around the 60-degree mark on most of the lake.

Without a seasonal rise in temperatures this week, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the bass have not started moving up shallow in big numbers just yet.  Fishing is good with a jerkbait, shaky head, or swimbait out to 30 feet or so off points, humps and docks.  Some fish are chasing bait back in creeks and these are often smaller fish but a nice one will occasionally show up. 

Given the weather forecast, expect the fish to remain in this pattern for another few days and then we should see more fish start to move shallow for the spawn.

March 3

Lake Keowee is at 98.7% of full pool and clarity is normal. Water temperatures are now in the low 60s throughout the lake and rising quickly with the unseasonably warm weather. 

As a result of rapidly rising temperatures, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish are moving up pretty quickly all over the lake and the shallow bite is now probably better than the deeper bite.  Look for fish chasing bait in pockets early in the morning and again in the evening.  Small crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits are working.  Shaky heads and finesse plastics such as a Ned Rig will catch bass positioning to spawn around docks, etc.  The bite should continue to improve rapidly over the next few weeks.

February 26

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and clarity is normal. Water temperatures have hit the 60-degree mark in the last couple of days. 

As a result of rapidly rising temperatures, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass are starting to move up.  As usual, this typically happens first in the mid-lake region and that seems to be the case again this year.  An early bite with a square-bill or spinnerbait is a good choice.  After that, a shaky head, ned rig, or senko around docks and other potential spawning areas should produce. 

However, on the north and south ends of the lake there are still some fish out deep.  Look for fish chasing bait in coves – a jerkbait will work on those spotted bass.  Use a dropshot for fish out to 50 feet or so as well. 

Fishing is picking up and should continue to do so over the coming weeks.

February 11

Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool and clarity is normal. Water temperatures remain stable in the low to mid-50s over most of the lake, with the highest temperatures still around the power plant in the low 60s.

Without much change in conditions, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass remain largely in a winter pattern and deeper fish in 20 plus feet can be targeted with a drop shot.  A small swimbait in creek channels out to 30 feet is also working, along with shakey heads and jigs.  Jerkbaits are another good choice on windy points in the afternoon. 

There is beginning to be a slow movement of fish up toward the docks which should continue to improve this next week.

February 7

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool and water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s over most of the lake, with the highest temperatures around the power plant at around 61 degrees.

It was a crowded field in the 126-boat Palmetto Boat Center tournament on Lake Keowee this weekend, with Britt Myers Sr. and Jr. walking away with the win with an impressive 17.22 pounds of bass. While most of the teams managed a limit there were only two other bags over 15 pounds, and in third place with 15.10 were Brock Taylor and our regular correspondent Guide Brad Fowler. 

Brad reports that he and Brock spent a little time fishing in relatively shallow brush looking for a big bite, but in the end everything they weighed including their biggest fish came in deep water. For the second week in a row their best fish came in 75 feet! However, it’s hard to find good ones and you have to pick through a lot of smaller fish to get one – they don’t seem to be particularly schooled up by size.

They caught fish in the main lake and the front part of creeks, and they fished a drop shot, jig and an underspin. 

February 3

Lake Keowee is up to 99.3% of full pool and water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s over most of the lake, with the highest temperatures around the power plant at 61 degrees.

With water temperatures over the lake at or near their low for the year, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass generally remain in a late winter pattern. The exception is near the nuclear plant, where fish are starting to move up a bit more. 

Over most of the lake, a jerkbait, drop shot, and shakey head are the most productive lures.  Windy points are producing with the jerkbait in the afternoons.  The drop shot can be fished out to 70 plus feet of water – anywhere bait is found will typically hold spotted bass.  A shakey head fished around deeper docks and in shallower water during warmer afternoons is catching some fish.

January 20

Lake Keowee is at 96.4% of full pool and water temperatures have dropped into the low to mid-50s over most of the lake now. 

The bass on Lake Keowee continue to be in a winter pattern, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that some fish are being caught off points with jerkbaits.  Fishing deep with a spoon or dropshot is also productive out to 60 plus feet of water, and a shakey head around docks and drop-offs will also work in 12 plus feet of water. 

Look for areas holding baitfish and there are likely to be fish in the vicinity.

January 14

Lake Keowee is at 97.1% of full pool and water clarity is normalizing. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 50s over most of the lake, but still hanging in the low 60s mid-lake. 

A good winter fishing pattern for bass remains in place on Lake Keowee right now, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that with the weather forecast for the next week temperatures should continue to drop and those patterns should get even more entrenched. 

Fish continue to be caught deep on drop shots and spoons in creeks and around drop-offs and deep points.  Any area holding bait is a good starting point to locate these spotted bass.  A shakey head bite is still present with the best depth around 15-30 feet on deep docks and drops.  A jerkbait is also productive when fish are suspended or chasing bait.  

January 7

Lake Keowee is at 96.6% of full pool and major creeks are stained to muddy (in the very backs) due to heavy rain this past week. Morning surface water temperatures have fallen into the high 50s over most of the lake with low 60s still present mid-lake near the power plant. 

Now that water temperatures are getting down to a more normal range for the season, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass are getting into a more traditional winter pattern. More fish are stationed in deep locations such as at the mouth of major creeks, coves, main lake drop-offs and points.  These fish can be targeted with a drop shot, spoon, or blade bait.  Looking for bird activity on the main lake is another good option currently.

There is still some activity shallow, however, and these fish can be caught with a shakey head or swimbait around docks and in creek drains.  

December 31

Lake Keowee is at 96.7% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures have actually gone UP a degree or so this week on the lake, with water temperatures at 60 degrees over most of the lake.  The mid-lake region is still holding in the mid-60s. 

With temperatures running quite a few degrees higher than normal for this time of year, N&C Marine/Skeeter Teammember Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that different sections of the lake continue to fish differently for bass. The south end is in more of a traditional winter pattern with fish chasing schools of bait in deep water.  A drop shot, spoon, or blade bait is the best bet for these fish.  Soft plastics are also working out to 25 feet or so, particularly in the mid-lake region.  Some deeper fish can also be found mid-lake but that bite is not as strong as the southern end of the lake. 

With some cooler weather predicted, Charles anticipates that the mid-lake area will soon begin to move to a more traditional winter pattern.

December 24

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s over most of the lake with low 60s still present in the mid-lake. 

Overall bass fishing on Lake Keowee is good right now, but N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that different sections of the lake continue to fish differently. 

The lower end of the lake is much more in a traditional winter pattern than either the middle or upper lake.  On the south end, look for fish on deep drops, creek channels, and anywhere loons and gulls are feeding.  More activity is being found on the main lake and a drop shot or spoon will catch these fish around schools of bait. 

In the mid-lake, fish can still be caught on shakey heads and soft plastics out to 20 feet or so.  A drop shot and spoon are also working in the creeks where bait is found.  A jerkbait is also productive mid-lake and north around schools of bait. 

Regardless of where you are fishing, one commonality is that finding bait is key as there will likely be a school of spotted bass in the vicinity.

December 10

Lake Keowee is at 99.0% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are now hovering around the 60-degree mark over most of the lake, with higher readings just north of the power plant. 

The Lake Keowee bass fishing patterns continue to depend upon what part of the lake you are in, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish on the lower end of the lake are, for the most part, in a winter pattern now with baitfish moving out to the main lake from the creeks.  Watch for loon and gull activity on the main lake and use a jigging spoon or drop shot to target the fish in deep water.  It is also possible to still see fish chasing bait on the surface. 

The middle and northern sections of the lake are a little behind the pattern from the southern end of the lake, and there is still more activity in the creeks.  A jerkbait, drop shot, spoon, and shakey head are still working from the power plant up the lake.

December 4

Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low to mid-60s over most of the lake – having gone upover the past week.   

While bass fishing patterns vary based upon what part of the lake you are in, overall N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fishing remains good to excellent. 

The southern end of the lake is much more into a winter pattern with fish roaming deeper water around schools of baitfish.  These fish can be targeted with a dropshot, spoon, or blade bait.  Any area holding large amounts of bait will typically have spotted bass in the vicinity. 

The middle and upper ends of the lake are still more in a fall pattern with fish shallower.  They can be targeted with soft plastics around docks and points.  Creeks holding bait can be productive with a dropshot out to 50 feet or so. 

November 20

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid to high-60s over most of the lake with the coolest temperatures at the far north and far south ends.   

A strong fall/ early winter bass pattern remains in effect on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish are chasing schools of baitfish in 40 plus feet of water in the major creeks.  These fish can be targeted with a drop shot, spoon, or jerkbait.  This pattern is at or near its peak for the season but should remain strong for the next few weeks.  Using electronics to find areas holding shad or blue back herring will likely result in finding schools of bass. 

While these are primarily spotted bass, the occasional nice largemouth will also show up!

November 12

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid to high-60s over most of the lake.  

It’s still a really good time to fish for bass on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that many of the fish have followed the baitfish into the creeks. 

Bass can be caught on a variety of lures with a shallow bite (out to 20 feet) on soft plastics around docks and points.  In the back of creeks, small swimbaits or crankbaits are working along with some topwater.  Deeper fish can be targeted with dropshots or small spoons. 

Overall, finding large concentrations of bait is key to finding areas holding fish.  

The current fishing pattern should remain strong for a few more weeks until water temperatures fall into the 50s.

November 4

Lake Keowee is at 98.7% of full pool and the water clarity is normal again. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 70s over most of the lake.  

For now Keowee water temperatures are still in the 70s, but N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) won’t be surprised if they hit the 60s by the beginning of next week. These slowly dropping temperatures are creating some exciting fall fishing opportunities, and the bite continues to be strong all over the lake with the south and north ends being the most productive. 

Spotted bass are following schools of bait in creek channels and long coves and can be caught on a variety of baits.  Topwater walking baits, swimbaits, dropshots, and small spoons are all effective in areas where baitfish are located.  There has been some good schooling activity this week off secondary points and the back of long creeks, but an early bite with a square bill crankbait or topwater bait has been producing some of the bigger fish of the past week. 

Loons and gulls are slowly starting to arrive on the lake and are often the ultimate "fish-finder" – so keep your eyes peeled for the birds working bait.

November 1

Lake Keowee is at 98.6% of full pool and the water clarity is normal again. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 70s over most of the lake. 

Water temperatures continue to slowly fall on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass fishing is very good to excellent on Keowee as the spotted bass feed up for winter.  A good migration into major creeks and coves continues. 

Look for schools of spotted bass anywhere large amounts of baitfish are marked.  A good depth is 35 feet out to 50 feet in the creeks around bait.  These fish can be targeted with a drop shot, swimbait, or small spoon. 

Some schooling activity continues to be present as well around schools of baitfish – a walking bait is best for these topwater fish.  Overall, if you find the right area, a good quantity of spotted bass can be put in the boat!

Unknown to many anglers, Keowee holds a lot of catfish.  These include channels, blues, and flatheads.  There are some big catfish in the lake and they don't get a lot of pressure.  Anglers catch some while bass fishing, including this one caught on a small spoon with Charles this week.

October 25

Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool and the water clarity is normalizing again. Morning surface water temperatures have fallen into the 70s throughout the lake with the lowest readings at the Jocassee dam. 

As water temperatures continue to gradually drop the Lake Keowee bass are getting into full-fledged fall patterns, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish are now in more of a fall pattern and holding in the mouths of major creeks.  Depths of 40-60 feet are productive with drop shots, spinnerbaits, and small spoons.  Finding areas holding schools of threadfin shad or blue-back herring will most likely result in locating schools of spotted bass feeding. 

There is on and off schooling activity present around the lake, particularly in the morning and then again late afternoon.  However, schooling can occur at any time on Keowee, so be ready!  A topwater walking style of bait is best for these fish – a lure that can be cast a long distance is preferred to reach these fish while on the surface. 

Overall, fishing is good on the lake and should remain strong over the next few weeks as the water continues to cool.

October 15

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool and the water on the main lake is clear while the backs of major creeks are stained. Morning surface water temperatures are in the high 70s over most of the lake. 

As water temperatures continue to gradually fall the Lake Keowee bass continue to make a slow migration into fall patterns, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the fishing is now good and should only continue to improve in the coming weeks. Fish and bait are beginning to migrate into the creeks and more surface activity is taking place as well. 

An early bite on points and flats is still present with crankbaits and topwaters.  Topwater action can take place throughout the day now so a walking bait should always be ready.  Having a topwater that can be cast a long distance is another good item to have handy on Keowee if fish explode on the surface chasing bait. 

A drop shot bite out to about 50 feet is good as well in areas holding bait.  A 4-inch soft plastic in light colors is a good choice on the rig.

October 11

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and, since a lot of rain has fallen in the Keowee watershed, the backs of major creeks are stained to muddy. Morning surface water temperatures have held steady this week at around 80 over most of the lake. 

The Lake Keowee bass continue to make a slow migration into fall patterns, but N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that overall not much has changed since the last report. 

An early bite on points and flats with topwater and crankbaits (square bills seem to be better) continues, with the topwater bite lasting until mid-morning in areas holding bait.  After that, a drop shot out to 50 feet or so is working on deep points and drop-offs. 

Schooling activity can happen at any time right now so have that topwater handy to throw!