January 2

Lake Keowee is at 97.8% of full pool and water clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 50s, although in the mid-lake there is still some water in the lower 60s.      

Water temperatures continue to slowly fall on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that as a result winter black bass fishing patterns are now dominant with many fish in deeper water on the bottom or around schools of bait fish.  A dropshot, spoon, or jig in depths from 35-70 plus feet will work in areas holding bait.  Creek channels, drop-offs, and deeper holes are best. 

A shallower bite with a jerkbait or swimbait on points or back in creeks is also an option.

Much cooler weather is forecast over the next two weeks so expect fish to slow down and get even deeper.

 

December 27

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and water clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures range from the mid-50s to mid-60s over the lake.    

This is the time of the year when one sees the most variation in water temperature on the lake, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the north and south ends are now in the mid- to upper 50s while the mid-lake region remains in the low to mid-60s near the power plant. As a result, you are more likely to find black bass higher in the water column mid-lake now. 

Overall, fish are in a solid winter-time pattern with many fish now in ditches and creek channels – deep.  Any area holding large schools of baitfish will typically have spotted bass nearby.  Depths can range from 45 to 80 feet feet of water.  A drop shot or small spoon are good baits for these fish. 

A jerkbait is working well for suspended fish off points. 

For shallow fishing, try a jig around docks, rock and ledges.  A shaky head will also work in these areas out to 25 feet or so.  

December 19

Lake Keowee is at 97.9% of full pool and water clarity is very high on the main lake.  Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s to low 60s throughout the lake. 

With stable water temperatures over the past week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the black bass fishing pattern has also remained relatively consistent over the last seven days with fish in a winter-time pattern.  The largest numbers of fish are being caught in ditches/ creek channels deep with a drop shot or spoon in depths from 50-80 feet.  Finding areas holding schools of baitfish is key for these deeper fish.

Some fish do remain shallow, however, and can be targeted with a jig or shaky head – or jerk bait when suspended.  

December 12

Lake Keowee is at 99.4% of full pool and water clarity is high.  Morning surface water temperatures have now fallen into the mid- to upper 50s over most of the lake with low 60s still found near the nuclear facility.   

Black bass continue to move deeper into winter patterns on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that there is still a good pattern fishing deep in any creeks or areas holding schools of baitfish.  The best zone is often 40-70 feet when you can find schools of baitfish at that depth. 

For more shallow fishing, a jerkbait off main lake and secondary points or a jig around deeper docks and rock are good approaches.  

The crappie bite continues to slow, but Guide Casey Jones of Jocassee Charters (864-280-9056) reports that they are still catching decents numbers of crappie, mixed with spotted bass, on trees in the creeks. The fish are still in 20-40 feet of water adjacent to 50 or 60 feet, and crappie are suspended as high as just ten feet below the surface.  Minnows are working the best.

December 5

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and water clarity is typically high.  Morning surface water temperatures have now fallen into the low to mid-60s over most of the lake. 

Black bass continue to move into a wintertime pattern on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that anglers should look for creeks holding large schools of baitfish. Use various lures depending on the depth of the bait. 

Some bait is all the way back in the creeks and these fish can be targeted with a soft body swimbait, jerkbait, or even a topwater.  For fish that are in the mid-range (20-40 feet) use a dropshot or shaky head.  For deeper fish, use the dropshot or a small spoon out to 70 plus feet of water. 

Any areas holding schools of bait are likely to be holding schools of spotted bass and it is a good time to catch numbers of fish in areas where they are holding around the bait.

The crappie bite has slowed a little, but Guide Casey Jones of Jocassee Charters (864-280-9056) reports that they continue to catch respectable numbers of good fish on trees in the creeks. The fish are still in 20-40 feet of water, and crappie are suspended as high as just ten feet below the surface.  Minnows are working the best and you will also catch spotted bass fishing this way. 

November 30

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and water clarity is typically high.  Morning surface water temperatures have now fallen into the mid-60s over most of the lake, with the warmest water mid-lake in the low 70s.

As water temperatures have dropped on Lake Keowee, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the deep water bite (60 plus feet) has really picked up with good numbers of spotted bass being caught in creek channels with drop shots or spoons.  A shallow bite also continues to work with soft plastics or a jig out to 20 or so feet around docks and any structure.  For suspended fish, a jerkbait is also working well off main lake and secondary points. 

This is a good time for numbers on the lake.

November 20

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and water clarity is very high.  Morning surface water temperatures are now in the upper 60s on the southern and northern ends of the lake, while they remain in the low 70s mid-lake due to the influence of the power station. 

Water temperatures have finally dipped on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish continue to move to early winter locations in creeks and long coves.  These fish can be targeted with a drop shot or small spoon in depths from 40 plus feet.  Often, the fish will be in very deep water on Keowee (70 plus feet). 

A shallower bite on points and rock with a shaky head or Texas rig is working with soft plastics.  Some schooling activity is also present in creeks with large concentrations of bait. 

Overall, bass fishing is very good on the lake right now and that should continue for the next few weeks.

The crappie bite also continues to be excellent, and Guide Casey Jones of Jocassee Charters (864-280-9056) continues to catch numbers of good fish on trees in the creeks. The fish are in 20-40 feet of water, but crappie are suspended as high as just ten feet below the surface.  Minnows continue to be the key.   

November 14

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool and water clarity is very high.  Morning surface water temperatures remain in the low to mid-70s over most of the lake. 

Even though the water temperatures have again remained stable the past week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that they are seeing more fish move to winter patterns even before the expected drop in temperatures over the next week.

Many schools of spotted bass are now showing up in major creek channels and can be targeted with a drop shot or spoon in 40 plus feet of water.  Some sporadic schooling activity is occurring in these same areas, particularly in the mid-lake region. 

For a shallow bite, soft plastics on a shaky head or Texas rig out to 20 feet are a good option.  Another good choice is a jerkbait on secondary points.

Once again we also have a crappie tale from Keowee, and Guide Casey Jones of Jocassee Charters (864-280-9056) this week out-did his father and guiding partner Sam – who recently caught his PR of 2.5 pounds on Keowee. Casey caught the giant 3 pound, 18-inch crappie pictured below fishing around trees in a creek. The fish was in 40 feet of water, but crappie were suspended as high as just ten feet below the surface. 

They are getting dialed in to catching big fish and numbers with minnows. 

November 8

Lake Keowee is at 99.0% of full pool and water clarity is very high.  Morning surface water temperatures remain in the low to mid-70s over most of the lake. 

Another week has gone by where water temperatures remained stable on Lake Keowee due to persistently warm weather, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that as a result some black bass are moving into late fall positions in creeks – but many fish also remain shallow given the water temperature. 

There is still an early bite with a buzzbait, crankbait, or topwater on main lake points and in cuts and coves.  A shallow bite can be found on soft plastics or jigs during the day out to 20 feet of water or so. 

For the fish transitioning to fall patterns, a drop shot or spoon in depths from 35-60 feet is working in creeks and ditches where large schools of bait are found.  Some schooling activity also continues at times, with the mid-lake area being the most productive for this pattern.  

 

October 31

Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool and clarity is basically normal again on the main lake – very high.  Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-70s over most of the lake. 

With the warm weather this past week there has been little to no change in water temperatures on Keowee, but N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass are beginning to show some movement to more traditional late fall areas. The mouths of large creeks are now starting to hold some schools of spotted bass in 40 plus feet of water.  These fish can be targeted with a drop shot or spoon.  Some bait is also back in the creeks and there is a topwater bite and some schooling activity is underway. A “walk the dog” bait, buzzbait, or popper is working on these fish.  Another topwater bite is present late afternoon in the same areas. 

A jig is also working on shallow fish around rock throughout the day. 

Overall, fishing is good and will get even better in the coming weeks for the deep bite in creeks/ditches.

For a little variety, Guide Sam Jones of Jocassee Charters (864-280-9056) reports that fun-fishing with his son and fellow guide Casey on Lake Keowee they got into some really big crappie – including his personal best of over 2.5 pounds! The fish were on trees in the creeks in 30-40 feet of water and took medium minnows. After catching a few crappie at the various spots they seemed to spook, or the spotted bass moved in, and that became the main catch. They also picked up some yellow perch. 

October 24

Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool and clarity is returning to normal after Hurricane Helene with high visibility again on the main lake.  Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-70s over most of the lake. 

Warm afternoons this past week have largely held water temperatures stable, but N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass continue to transition to late fall patterns. There is an early bite on points with a small crankbait such as a square-bill – or a spinnerbait when windy conditions exist.  Some schooling is happening on the main lake and back in creeks in the morning, and again in the evening, so having a topwater bait nearby is a must. 

When fish are suspended or near the bottom a drop shot or small spoon in 25-50 feet of water is working well on schools of spotted bass. 

 

October 10

Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool and the major creeks remain stained to muddy from the tropical storm, with some residual debris.  However, clarity in both the creeks and main lake are improving, with the main lake clearing faster.  Morning surface water temperatures range from the upper to 70s to low 80s. 

As conditions rebound from the storm and the water temperatures continue a very slow fall, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fishing remains good with an early bite on points and shallow flats using a crankbait, buzzbait, and now a spinnerbait.  An early topwater bite is present in the same areas and in creeks holding baitfish.  The topwater bite can last well into the morning on the main lake where more schooling activity is beginning to occur. 

As the day goes on a dropshot or other soft plastic in 25-35 feet of water is working well in the same areas. 

Another round of schooling is occurring late afternoon so make sure a topwater bait is always nearby.

October 4

While Lake Keowee is basically back to the same level as last week, 98.0% of full pool, water conditions have changed significantly in the past week.  Water temperatures are now in the upper 70s over most of the lake. 

When Tropical Storm Helene came over the lake last week N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that it brought tremendous winds and rainfall.  As a result, all major creeks are very stained to muddy the further back in a creek you go.  The main lake is also stained but still has reasonable visibility and should begin to return to normal in the next week.  While the main lake is relatively free of debris, some of the creeks have a lot of floating and submerged debris. 

An early bite on points with a small crankbait or topwater continues to work.  After the sun gets up, look for surface activity around long points and humps where bait is present.  A walking type of topwater bait is good for schooling fish. 

If they are not schooling, fish a shaky head or drop shot in the same areas in 25-35 feet of water.  Another round of schooling activity is happening in the late afternoon and early evening. 

Fishing should get very good in the coming weeks as the water cools.