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.

March 27

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool and water clarity remains high although there is a lot of pollen in the water. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-60s in most areas.

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 in heavy pre-spawn and spawning mode over most of the lake – with some post-spawn fish now in the mid-lake region.  Fishing is very good with lots of fish up shallow in 4-16 feet of water.  Soft plastics around bedding areas are producing good numbers of fish with some big spots coming off the bed.  Spawning pockets, long flat points, and docks are good areas to target.  Any brush in 10-15 feet of water is also typically holding fish. 

It is a good time to be on the lake!

March 20

Lake Keowee is at 97.0% of full pool and water clarity remains extremely high although there is now heavy pollen in many areas (which will affect forward-facing sonar for the next few weeks). Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s over most of the lake.   

It’s a great time for catching fish on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass are in heavy pre-spawn and spawning mode in most sections of the lake with some post-spawn fish already present mid-lake!  Fishing in traditional spawning coves, on flats, and around docks is a very productive pattern with soft plastics.  Some fish are chasing bait mid-lake and can be targeted with swimbaits or jerkbaits. 

Overall fishing is very good right now and should stay that way for some time!

March 11

As usual recently Lake Keowee water levels are low today at 96.8% of full pool and water clarity remains extremely high. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low to mid-60s throughout the lake. 

As water levels have shot up this week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass are moving up shallow now and can be caught with soft plastics such as a wacky rig, Texas rig, Ned rig, and more around docks, points and shorelines.  Any potential bedding location is a good area to target with many fish now on the move to spawn and some already spawning. Additionally, a swimbait early in the back of creeks or coves where bait is present is a good starting point most mornings.  Anglers can expect these trends to even get stronger on the next full moon where a big spawn should occur. 

Overall, fishing is good for both numbers and size now.

February 26

Lake Keowee is at 98.3% of full pool and water clarity is extremely high in all areas of the lake. Morning surface water temperatures range from the mid-50s to low 60s. 

This week water temperatures held steady with some cold weather, but N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that they should be on the rise again. Overall black bass continue to move up and he expects to see some fish on the bed mid-lake anytime now. 

An early bite with a swimbait back in drains where fish are chasing bait works, along with a jerkbait.  Soft plastics such as Ned rigs, jigs, Texas rigs, and more are good for fish making their way toward spawning locations. 

There have been a lot of tournaments on the lake in the past couple of weeks and getting in the money has generally taken over 16 pounds.  Expect to see some really good spring fishing in the coming weeks.

February 20

Lake Keowee is at 97.7% of full pool and water clarity is extremely high – about 15 feet in many areas! Morning surface water temperatures are now in the mid-50s to low 60s. 

As water temperatures continue to slowly rise, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass are in a transition from winter to spring.  While Charles has not personally seen any fish on the bed yet, it would not surprise him if some are in the warmest mid-lake section near the power plant.  However, it will be a few more weeks before they see a big movement of fish on the bed. 

But overall, they are starting to see some fish migrating up and expect that trend to continue with the warmer water.

Right now swimbaits and soft plastics such as a Ned rig or Texas rig are working along with jerkbaits on windy days.  A deeper bite with a drop shot or jig is still good in the ditches out to 40 feet or so. 

February 13

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool and water clarity remains very high. Mid-lake water temperatures are now in the low 60-degree range with the rest of the lake still in the 50s. 

As water temperatures begin to creep up, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that black bass are becoming more active. There is still a deep winter pattern in the creeks and deep water out to 80 feet.  A drop shot, other soft plastic, or jig on the bottom can be used to target these fish. However, some fish are beginning to get a bit shallower, particularly on sunny afternoons around rocky points, docks, and wind-blown shorelines.  A jerkbait or jig is effective on these fish.  With continued warm weather forecast expect to see more fish begin to migrate to pre-spawn locations.

February 4

Lake Keowee is at 97.2% of full pool and water clarity remains high on the main lake. Water temperatures have fallen into the high 40s to mid-50s over most of the lake, with the warmest water in the upper 50s by the nuclear discharge. 

After a long period of cold weather, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that he finally got back out on the water yesterday.  Many fish are deep and not very active with the cold water.  However, a drop shot or spoon will still catch some fish in the deeper water.  A swimbait or jig fished slowly down creek channels will produce as well. 

For shallower fish, a jig, shaky head, or Texas rig fished slowly around docks and rocky points is a good tactic.  If windy, a jerkbait in these same areas is an option. 

We are probably at the low point for the water temperature on the lake and would expect to see some slight upward movement in the next week or so.  With a warm day or two, expect some fish to move up more shallow around docks back in the coves.

January 29

Lake Keowee is at 96.9% of full pool and water clarity remains very high. Water temperatures continue to drop and should be in the 40s over most of the lake by this weekend.   

Icy conditions have kept most everyone off the lake this week, and with several inches of snow predicted in the next few days N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that he likely won’t be back on the water until next week. Nonetheless, a deep bite with a drop shot, spoon, or jig fished slowly in the creek channels out to 80 feet should continue to be a good option.  And for what shallower fish are around, a small swimbait or jerkbait will be a good choice.  Finding areas holding schools of baitfish will greatly increase the odds of finding active fish. 

As temperatures continue to drop a very slow presentation is likely to be remain critical.

January 23

Lake Keowee is at 96.6% of full pool and water clarity remains very high. Water temperatures are in the low 50s over most of the lake with mid-50s around the nuclear discharge. 

With dropping temperatures fishing has slowed this week, but N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that a deep bite with a drop shot, spoon, or jig fished slowly in the creek channels out to 80 feet is a good option.  For shallower fish, a small swimbait or jerkbait is a good choice.  Finding areas holding schools of baitfish will greatly increase the odds of finding active fish. 

Even cooler weather is predicted next week so a very slow presentation is likely to be key.

January 15

Lake Keowee is at 97.7% of full pool and water clarity remains very high. Water temperatures are in the low 50s to low 60s depending on which section of the lake you fish. 

It has been another week without a lot of changes on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that overall fish remain in a winter pattern.  Fishing deep in creeks, ditches, and around ledges using a drop shot or spoon out to 80 feet is effective. On windy days, a jerk bait off points is a good choice. 

For shallower fish, a jig around docks is another productive winter-time option on the lake.

January 1

Lake Keowee is at 99.0% of full pool and water clarity is very high. Water temperatures are in the mid-50s over most of the lake with low 60s still found at or near the nuclear facility. Some water is being released into Hartwell at times given the lack of rain in the Upstate. 

With the weather whipsawing back and forth this past week, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that water temperatures have basically remained about the same.   Fishing patterns have remained consistent as well with a deep bite using a drop shot out to 80 feet producing fish in creek channels and swings.  A swimbait is working mid-lake on fish that are higher in the water column.  A jig or shaky head fished slowly around docks is an option as well.