October 27

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures have held steady in the low 70s over most of the lake.   

As water temperatures have been stable this week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the pattern has not changed much and is certainly not into a wintertime scenario yet.  Fish are slowly moving into major creeks as the water cools and bait transitions toward the back of the creeks, but many fish also remain on the main lake on long points in 20 plus feet of water.  A drop shot and a topwater are the baits of choice for creek fish, and soft plastics including a drop shot can be used for the main lake fish on long points.  

Some schooling, particularly in the afternoons, is happening on the lake so a topwater walking bait should be nearby at all times. 

Overall, fishing remains very good on the lake and anglers should expect a major move into the creeks within the next couple of weeks.

October 21

Lake Keowee is at 97.8% of full pool and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures have now fallen into the low 70s over most of the lake.   

As water temperatures have slowly dropped this week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the bass continue to feed up in a really good fall pattern. Fish are chasing bait in major creeks resulting in a nice topwater bite.  This can happen at any time during the day. 

When fish are not on the surface a drop shot or jigging spoon can target spotted bass out to 60 feet deep, or suspended over even deeper water.  For shallow fishing, soft plastics around rocky points and deeper docks is a good bet. 

Overall, fishing remains good on the lake and should continue to be so for the next few weeks.

October 12

Lake Keowee is at 96.3% of full pool and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s over most of the lake. 

Water temperatures have remained steady this week, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass fishing remains very good. Fish continue to transition to a fall pattern with movement into the creeks becoming more evident each week. 

A good topwater bite continues on the lake on deep open water points and back in creeks where bait is migrating.  Keep an eye out for surface activity all day long. 

An early bite on points with a square-bill crankbait is also good strategy; a 1.0 or 1.5 size in shad colors is working well.  On windy days, a spinnerbait will produce some fish. 

Soft plastics around docks and drop-offs out to 20 feet or so is the best shallow pattern, and a drop shot in the creeks out to 50 feet is working if bait is present. 

October 6

Lake Keowee is at 96.4% of full pool and clarity is high on the main body of water. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 70s over most of the lake with the mid-lake still the warmest in the low 80s.   

As a slow cooling trend continues, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass fishing continues to improve.  There is a good early bite on points and flats with a squarebill or topwater.  A spinnerbait is also a good choice when wind is present.  After the sun rises, the topwater bait is extending to mid-morning or later. 

Schooling activity on the main lake has picked up this week and can last all day so keep an eye open for surface activity – even over very deep water.  After fish surface and then go back down, a drop shot or spoon is effective. 

Shallow fish can be targeted with soft plastics out to 20 feet or so along the shorelines. 

Overall, fishing is very good now and the fall transition is well underway.

September 29

Lake Keowee is at 96.2% of full pool and clarity is high on the main body of water. Morning surface water temperatures have finally fallen below 80 on the southern and northern ends of the lake, but they are still in the low-80s mid-lake.   

With the falling temperatures, N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass are quickly moving to a fall pattern with more schooling activity seen in the mornings and evenings.  Be alert, however, as fish chasing bait on the surface can happen throughout the day at any time. 

Baitfish are beginning to move into the creeks and schools of spotted bass are following them.  Look along points and channels where bait is present out to 60 feet of water.  A small spoon or drop shot can be used to target these fish. 

Shallow fish around docks and any structure can be targeted with a shaky head, square bill crankbait, or spinnerbait (if windy). 

Overall, fishing is improving and should only get better in the coming weeks.  

Finally, congratulations from Angler’s Headquarters to Charles on this week being named Seneca’s Best Fishing Charter! No guide is more attentive to his clients and no one is more deserving of this award. 

September 21

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool and clarity is high on the main body of water. Morning surface water temperatures are holding in the low 80s over most of the lake.   

Even with stubbornly high water temperatures, N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish are starting to show some movement to more of a fall pattern with bass chasing bait in coves and off points where bait is present.  These fish can be targeted with a topwater bait while on the surface.  After they go down, a drop shot out to 50 feet or so is working off the points that fall into a creek channel. 

Some fish are also around deeper docks and steeper shorelines and soft plastics such as a shaky head or Ned rig can be used. 

Overall, fishing is getting better and should continue to improve over the coming weeks as the lake cools.

September 3

Lake Keowee is at 97.8% of full pool and the main lake is clear but the backs of major creeks are stained due to some heavy thunderstorms. Morning surface water temperatures are in the high 80s over most of the lake.   

While water temperatures are still near their summer highs, N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that it looks like the temperatures are now beginning to slowly fall and this will become more apparent in the next week.  As the water begins to cool fishing will get better and better on the lake.

An early bite on points with a crankbait or topwater is present but it is hit-or-miss.  Covering as many points as possible quickly is a good approach. 

In long creeks and coves, some fish are beginning to chase bait at times on the surface and can be targeted with a topwater.  Use a drop shot or small spoon when they go back down. 

Fish can also be targeted on the main lake on long points or ledges out to 70 plus feet deep with a spoon or dropshot.

August 26

Lake Keowee is at 97.2% of full pool, and while the main lake is clear, you can find some stained water in the backs. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s over most of the lake. 

It’s not a huge drop, but N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that between recent rains, cloud cover and shorter days water temperatures have dropped a degree or two in the last week. Perhaps as a result, on the water it appears as if a slow transition to fall bassfishing is just getting underway. That doesn’t necessarily mean the patterns have changed significantly, but the fishing is picking up. 

An early bite on points with a square-bill crankbait or topwater is still a good starting technique early.  After that, look for areas holding schools of herring or shad in 40 plus feet of water.  These fish can also be targeted with a topwater lure or a dropshot. 

Some fish continue to be shallow around docks and any structure – a frog is a good approach for the shallow fish. 

August 19

Lake Keowee is at 97.9% of full pool and water clarity is high. Morning surface water temperatures remains at their summer peak in the upper 80s over most of the lake. 

Fish remain in a summer pattern on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that unfortunately that means the fishing is still slow.  

An early bite with a small crankbait, such as a square-bill, or a topwater off rocky points is putting a few fish in the boat.  After the sun gets up, a drop shot or free rig on points and drop-offs out to 70 feet is the best bet.  Deeper docks with some shade are also holding some fish and a shaky head can be used. 

Overall, it seems likely that this pattern will remain in place and fishing will continue to be difficult until the water temperatures begin to drop.

August 1

Lake Keowee is at 97.2% of full pool and water clarity is high. Morning surface water temperatures are in the high 80s over most of the lake. 

It’s August in South Carolina, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that unsurprisingly fish remain in a summer pattern. There is some activity at first light on points with a topwater bait.  A good area to try is at the base of the Jocassee Dam if water is being moved. 

After the sun gets up, look for any fish chasing bait on the surface, but a deep bite is the best bet over long points, roadbeds, and drop-offs from 40-60 feet deep.  Using a drop shot or small jigging spoon is the most effective technique for the deeper fish. 

There are also some bigger fish cruising the shorelines and docks chasing bream at times. 

Overall, the warm water temperature is having a negative effect on fishing with few large fish showing up.

July 25

Lake Keowee is at 97.6% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s on the lower two-third of the lake and the lower 80s below the Jocassee dam.   

As you could guess, N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that overall fishing is tough right now on the lake as a result of the extremely high water temperatures. However, if water is being moved at the dam, that is a good place to try topwater early and late each day. 

A more predictable, general pattern is on a dropshot out to about 60 feet around any structure, deep drop-offs, and ledges.  There are also some fish under the deeper docks as the sun gets up that can be targeted with soft plastics. 

If we get some cooling the fishing should improve. 

July 8

Lake Keowee is at 97.9% of full pool and water clarity is high on the main lake but stained in coves and the backs of creeks due to thunderstorms. Morning surface water temperatures remain constant, in the mid to upper 80s over most of the lake with the coolest water at the Jocassee dam. 

Fish are in a traditional summer pattern right now on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that unfortunately that means it’s a difficult time on the lake for the most part.  An early bite on points and shallow flats and humps can be productive if an angler pulls up on the right one at daybreak.  This bite has weakened again in the last week, however. 

Soft plastics out to 30 feet of water around points and deep docks are another option.  A deeper bite with a drop shot on main lake and secondary points out to 60 feet of water is a good choice for anglers who like to use electronics. 

Overall, fishing continues to be difficult on the lake but there are some bright spots out there!

June 30

Lake Keowee is at 97.2% of full pool and water clarity is high. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s over most of the lake, with the coolest water at the Jocassee dam running in the high 70s. 

The bass are in a summer pattern on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that not much has changed in the past week.  Now is a good time to fish at night between the temperatures and the boat traffic. 

An early morning topwater bite or crankbait bite can be found on points on the main lake – run as many points as possible before the sun gets up.  After that, fish docks or points with soft plastics out to 25 feet or so. 

Another option is to try to find fish suspended over deeper structure with a drop shot rig out to 50 plus feet of water. 

Some big fish are being caught on topwater at the Jocassee dam for the first couple of hours each morning.

June 24

Lake Keowee is at 97.6 % of full pool and water clarity is high. Morning surface water temperatures have risen to the mid- to high 80s with this most recent heat wave. 

Probably due to water temperatures, N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the early morning bass bite has weakened in the last few days.  Shallow points or flats can still be targeted with a small crankbait, fluke, or topwater bait early but the bite is not as strong as it was a couple of weeks ago.  Some fish are also cruising the bank looking for bream and can be targeted with a popper or prop bait. 

Many fish are now moving out to deeper water with the higher temperatures.  Fishing a drop shot around humps, steep drops and ledges, or deeper creeks can be productive if baitfish are in the area.  The deeper fish can be targeted in 40 plus feet of water now and an angler should be on the lookout for suspended bass over deeper water.  Some schools of bass are now showing up over the deeper areas in the lake.  

June 16

Lake Keowee is down to 97.2% of full pool and water clarity is high. Morning surface water temperatures have risen to 85 plus degrees with the heat wave this week. 

Despite the heat Keowee bass continue to feed up, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that there continues to be a good early morning bite on points and flats with a small crankbait and topwater lures.  In areas holding bait, the topwater bite can continue for a couple of hours.  Look off the end of points as well in 15-25 feet of water with a topwater search bait.  If water is moving at the Jocassee dam, fish should start chasing bait there in the mornings. 

After the sun gets up, soft plastics on points and humps out to 25-30 feet are a good bet. With the high water temperatures, they are also starting to see more fish out in deep summertime spots such as drop-offs into the old river and creek channels or off the end of deep points.  If bait is present in these areas, spotted bass will congregate in the summer and can be targeted with a drop shot or jigging spoon – these fish can be suspended over deep water. They often get 40-60 feet down in water out to 90 plus feet. 

Of course there is at least one shallow option in the heat of summer, as there can be a bite around bream beds when bass are chasing bluegill. Poppers are a good way to target these fish. 

June 9

Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool and water clarity is high on the main lake, as is typical at this time of year, with some stain in the back of major creeks.  Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low 80s throughout the lake and continue to progress towards their summertime highs.   

The bass are moving more and more into a summertime pattern on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that means there is an early bite on points and flats with a crankbait or topwater.  Keep the topwater handy for most of the morning in areas holding bait. 

After that, soft plastics such as a Carolina rig, Ned rid, Texas rig, or free-rig out to 25 feet will work around points and drop-offs.  Deeper fish are starting to show up out to 50 feet or so and can be targeted with a dropshot around the same depth changes.

June 3

Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool and visibility is mostly back to normal. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the high 70s to low 80s across the lake. 

Very warm temperatures continue to advance the seasonal progression of bass fishing on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/ Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish have moved further into a summertime pattern. 

An early bite with crankbaits and topwaters on points is present.  The topwater bite can continue longer into the morning where fish are chasing bait.  The upper end of the lake is more likely to have an extended topwater bite. 

After the sun gets up, soft plastics from 15 plus feet out are the best bet.  A deep water bite will become more pronounced as the water temperature warms into the 80s.  This is best approached with a dropshot on long points and steep drop-offs where bait is present.

May 27

Lake Keowee is at 98.7% of full pool and heavy rains have made the backs of major creeks muddy to stained, while the main lake remains average clarity. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the high 70s across the lake. 

Bass are in a post-spawn and early summer pattern on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that an early pattern on points with a crankbait or topwater is working. This can be a very shallow bite until the sun gets up.  Topwater action can remain viable for a couple of hours after sunrise in areas holding bait – a walking type of lure is productive. 

After the sun gets up, a drop shot out to 40 or so feet on points, humps, and creeks with any structure is working.

May 20

Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool and water clarity remains very high. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid to upper 70s across the lake. 

The spawn is pretty much over on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish are now in a post-spawn pattern. There is an early bite on points and shallow flats with a topwater bait, small crankbait, or swimbait.  Some schooling activity will continue throughout the morning and again in the late afternoon, particularly on the end of points. 

After the sun gets up, a shallow bream bite is still in play this week.  Otherwise, soft plastics such as a shaky head in 15-25 feet of water around points, humps and steeper rocky banks are good place to start.  A dropshot is also starting to produce a few fish around point and humps in 30 plus feet.

May 12

Lake Keowee is at 99.0% of full pool and water clarity is still very high. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid-70s throughout the lake with the coolest water at the Jocassee dam.

Although there are a few fish still on the bed at the north end of the lake, N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish are now primarily in a post-spawn pattern on Keowee.  As a result, fish are now starting to move out a bit deeper after the sun gets up. 

An early bite on points with a topwater or small crankbait is producing well; throw the topwater walking baits almost on the shore in very shallow water and work them out on the points.  Keep moving until you find a point with some fish feeding on it. 

After the sun gets up, soft plastics such as a Texas or Carolina rig out fished to 15-25 feet around points, humps and steeper rocky banks are a good choice.  But keep the topwater handy if there is bait in the area! 

Another option is to fish very shallow with a frog or popper around any bream beds.

May 5

Lake Keowee is at 98.3% of full pool and water clarity is very high with 10 plus feet of visibility on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low to mid-70s, and climbing each day with the warm weather, over most of the lake.

The fishing remains good on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports there is still an early morning bite on points, shoals, and flats with a small crankbait or topwater lure.  After the sun gets up, soft plastics out to 20 feet continue to work well.  Increasingly, fish are chasing bait on the surface so be prepared with a topwater lure at all times. 

More and more fish are now in the post-spawn phase and will be starting to group up on the main lake in coming weeks as we begin to move to a summer pattern.  For now, however, a shallow bite out to 20 feet of water is still working all day.

April 29

Lake Keowee is at 98.9% of full pool and water clarity is very high – 8 plus feet of visibility. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low 70s over most of the lake.

The fishing remains very good on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that some fish are still on the bed and more fish are coming off the bed each day.  A shallow water bite on soft plastics out to 20 feet is a very consistent producer on windy shorelines, points, and docks.  This bite is good all day. 

An early bite on points continues to grow stronger with a crankbait or spinnerbait.  There is also more schooling activity being seen, primarily in the mid lake area where the water is the warmest.  

April 21

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and water clarity is still very high. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid- to upper-60s throughout the lake. 

The fishing remains in a strong spring-time pattern on Lake Keowee, but N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that some fish are now showing signs of coming off of beds.   However, there are still fish on the bed and probably one more group in the next few weeks to move up.  Fishing soft plastics out to 20 feet is working on points, around docks, and any structure. 

Some fish are now also starting to chase bait on the surface more actively, so keep a topwater handy at all times.

An early bite on points with crankbaits, topwater, and swimbaits is also producing some nice fish before daybreak.

April 18

Lake Keowee is at 98.6% of full pool and water clarity is high with visibility out to 10 feet in places on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid-60s over most of the lake. 

The fishing remains very good on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that there are some fish still on the bed and some now coming off the bed.  There is probably one more wave of fish still to move up on the lake in the next few weeks as the spawn lasts a long time on Keowee. 

The best fishing is 8-20 feet deep with soft plastics on points, wind-blown shorelines, and rocky areas.  Some early morning crankbait and topwater patterns are now working and this approach will get better over the coming weeks as the fish get post-spawn.

If you like to fish shallow, it’s a great time to be on the lake!

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.