July 9

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool and water clarity remains very high on the main body of the lake. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s to low 90s over most of the lake, and even in the “cooler” water north of the Highway 11 bridge temperatures are in the mid-80s.   

As the heat wave continues, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black basshave generally shifted further out this week. However, they continue to bite early on points, taking a topwater for an hour or so at first light.  Some wolf packs of fish are also cruising shorelines and docks chasing bream, the best shallow pattern, although some fish can also be caught off the deeper docks in the shade with soft plastics. 

For offshore fishing, the spotted bass are moving deeper in the heat and will often be found out on deeper points and around any structure in 30 plus feet of water.  A drop shot can be used to target these fish.  Some fish are in even deeper water suspending over ledges and creek channels in 50 plus feet of water.  These fish can also be targeted with the drop shot or a jigging spoon. 

Boat traffic is heavy on the lake on the weekends so early morning or night fishing is the best alternative then.

July 2

Currently Lake Keowee is at 97.3% of full pool, water clarity remains high, and lake levels continued to fluctuate daily. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the upper 80s to low 90s over most of the lake, although cooler water can be found north of the Highway 11 bridge. 

Even as extremely hot weather has caused water temperatures to spike this week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that it has not yet slowed down the black bass fishing and the action remains good. 

Patterns are similar, and an early bite with a buzzbait or topwater on shallow points and shoals is productive.  After that a topwater bite continues to produce all day on long points, humps, and over brush.  A walking bait or a swimbait will pull these fish up. 

Bream bed fishing is the best bet for shallow water anglers around docks and laydowns.  

June 25

Lake Keowee is at 97.1 of full pool and water clarity is normal (high) on Keowee as lake levels continued to fluctuate by a couple of feet throughout the week. Morning surface water temperatures remain in the mid- to upper 80s over most of the lake. 

With only a very slight increase water temperatures are essentially stable from last week, and as result N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass fishing hasn’t changed much either. There is still a good topwater bite continuing all day on long points, shoals, and coves holding schools of bait.  A walking bait in shad or chrome colors is working well on suspended spotted bass. 

For the shallower fish, wolf packs of bass are roaming the docks and rip rap chasing bream or just hanging around bream beds.  There have been a number of local tournaments on the lake in the past couple of weeks and it has been taking 17 plus pounds to finish in the money. 

As we move into July, expect to see the bite slow as more bass suspend over deeper water when the temperature hits 90 or so.

June 18

Lake Keowee is at 96.7 of full pool and water clarity remains extremely high on the main lake even as water levels fluctuate about 3 feet each week. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid- to upper 80s over most of the lake. 

While water temperatures continue to slowly rise, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass fishing continues to be good with a strong early morning topwater bite that can last all day.  Early, the bite is on shallow points and in the back third of long coves with secondary points holding bait.  As the sun gets up, fish are suspended off main lake points in 20 plus feet of water. 

When deeper fish are targeted, a drop shot is working around ledges and brush in 30-45 feet of water. 

A shallow pattern of running bream beds and looking for cruising wolf packs of fish can also be productive with a small popper or worm.

June 11

Lake Keowee is at 97.9 of full pool and water clarity remains very high on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low 80s over most of the lake. 

With rising temperatures, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass are now in a summertime pattern with an early bite on points with a topwater or small crankbait.  During the day, fish are staged out in deeper water over points and any structure and can be targeted with a topwater as well.  Soft plastics such as a drop shot will also work on fish out in 25-40 feet off the points. 

Bream bed fishing around docks with soft plastics or a popper can lead to some bigger fish as wolf packs are cruising the shorelines.  And a buzzbait around rip rap and laydowns is working well at dusk. 

Fishing remains good on the lake.

June 3

Lake Keowee is at 95.9 of full pool and water clarity is again very high on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 70s to low 80s. 

With cool nights this past week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that water temperatures have not changed and black bass remain largely in an early summer pattern. There is a good early morning bite on points and back in long coves with a topwater bait, and the topwater bite is productive all day on main lake points and around brush. 

Shallower fish can be targeted around bream beds and docks with soft plastics or poppers.  Deeper fish on points and humps can be targeted with a dropshot and a 4- or 6- inch worm. 

Overall, fishing remains very good on the lake.

May 28

Lake Keowee is up to 97.7 of full pool and water clarity is high on the main lake but stained in the backs of major creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 70s to low 80s. 

With much-needed rainfall over the past week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that water temperatures have only inched up and black bass continue to bite well early on shallow points. Numbers of fish can be caught with a small crankbait during this period, and then these same points are productive with soft plastics in 10-20 feet after the sun gets up.

The topwater bite is good back in major coves, long main lake points, and over the top of any brush piles.  A walking bait is a good choice all day long. 

Some bream beds are now producing as well for those wishing to target shallow cruising bass. 

Fishing remains good on the lake.

May 22

Lake Keowee is at 98.6% of full pool (overall water levels have been 2-4 feet below full most days this week) and water clarity remains extremely high. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the upper 70s across the lake.   

With warmer afternoons for the past week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass continue to transition to summertime patterns and locations with an early bite on points working with small crankbaits and topwater lures. The topwater bite remains very good over the entire lake off long main lake points and humps. A walking bait in herring colors and chrome is working well most days. Soft plastics out to 35 feet in the same areas, such as a shaky head, are also productive. With the water temperatures approaching 80 degrees, expect to see fish continue to move out a little deeper over the coming weeks. 

The next full moon will likely bring a bream spawn and that pattern will come into play for shallow water anglers as wolfpacks will be roaming the shorelines.

May 14

Lake Keowee is at 96.8% of full pool and water clarity is still extremely high. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid-70s over the lake.   

The vast majority of black bass are now post-spawn on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that an early bite on points with a small crankbait, topwater, or spinnerbait is a good place to start.  After the sun gets up a topwater bite off points on the main lake will work all day.  Look for any areas where fish are schooling as that activity is picking up and should continue for a few weeks.  Another option is soft plastic baits on the same points in 15-25 feet of water. 

Overall, fishing remains good on the lake even though some of the post spawn fish are reluctant to bite.  

May 6

Lake Keowee is at 96.4% of full pool, although fluctuating daily, and water clarity is still extremely high due to the lack of rain. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the 70s over the lake.   

The black bass spawn is now largely over on Lake Keowee, but N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that some late spawners are still around – particularly on the very northern end of the lake.  A significant herring spawn has also been occurring which has led to some great topwater fishing this past week. 

An early bite on points with a small crankbait, topwater, or spinnerbait will produce some fish.  After that, the most consistent pattern has been fishing topwater baits off points and shallow areas where herring spawn.  This topwater bite is good all day with a walking bait or swimbaits fished on the surface. 

Another option is soft plastics around docks and rocky points, but the herring bite is much stronger in terms of numbers and quality of fish.

As we move further into May, the bass spawn will wrap up but the early point bite should remain good all the month. The duration of the best herring spawn bite will depend on factors such as weather, but at least first thing points and shallow areas where herring spawn should produce well into the month. Soft plastics should also be effective out to 20 feet all of May. 

April 24

Lake Keowee is at 96.7% of full pool and water clarity is still extremely high. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low to mid-70s over the lake.   

As the spring progresses the black bass are further along in their seasonal patterns, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that fish are primarily now post-spawn, although some are still in the spawning phase. An early bite on points with a topwater or small crankbait is good and the topwater bite can last all day. Walking baits are the best lure for fishing on top. 

Soft plastic baits in 5-15 feet are also still working well, and it remains a good time to fish on the lake. 

April 17

Lake Keowee is at 96.7% of full pool and water clarity is still extremely high. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 70s over most of the lake.  

Water temperatures have risen a couple more degrees this week on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that water levels are a little low as the drought is affecting the Upstate lake. But fishing remains good, with black bass still in all three phases of the spawn (although the warmer mid-lake area is primarily post-spawn now).  An early bite on points with topwater lures and crankbaits is developing, and topwaters can be good all day off points.  Otherwise, soft plastics on points and wind-blown shorelines are working well.  Any structure or brush in 10-20' is a good target currently with the same soft plastics. 

April 8

Lake Keowee is at 97.4% of full pool and water clarity is extremely high. Morning surface water temperatures range from the upper 60s to mid-70s.  

Water temperatures continue to slowly rise on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson(864-324-2065) reports that black bass are now in all phases of the spawning cycle. Most fish are now on the bed with some post-spawn fish being caught also, but the spawn on Keowee takes a long time so there are still a lot of fish yet to move up. Fishing is very good with soft plastic baits in bedding areas. Some topwater action is also underway.   

It's a great time to be on the lake.

April 3

Lake Keowee is at 97.4% of full pool and water clarity remains very high. Morning surface water temperatures have risen quickly into the upper 60s and low 70s.  

The spawn is progressing on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that while the majority of black bass are still primarily pre-spawn and spawning, some post-spawn fish have begun to show up as well. An early bite on points is developing and should get stronger with a topwater bait, and then all day long soft plastic baits in spawning areas continue to work well. 

Expect to see more surface activity over the next couple of weeks.