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The newest Lake Keowee fishing report can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-lake-keowee-sc-fall-2019-fishing-report/

September 25

Lake Keowee is down to 96.7% of full pool and water temperatures have remained steady over the past week.   Even though the days are getting shorter, the hot weather is holding the morning surface water temperatures at about 84 on the south and north ends and around 90 mid-lake.  Water clarity is normal (very clear).

Continuing a trend that started last week, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that despite the heat the bass fishing is starting to improve as we move toward fall weather.  The morning bite is slowly getting stronger on shallow, rocky points and humps early.  Small crankbaits, flukes, topwaters, and small swimbaits can be used.  Some fish can be caught shallow throughout the day on frogs.

The topwater bite is improving so look for any schooling fish off points and humps.  These fish can be caught with a walking bait, or a drop shot when they are not schooling.  A good depth is 20 to 40 feet.

There are some deeper fish still in 35-50 feet and they can be targeted with a drop shot or small spoon.  Look for areas holding bait and the spotted bass are typically close by.

September 20

Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool and water temperatures remain persistently high due to the continued hot weather.  Around the power plant, temperatures are still averaging about 90 degrees.  On the lower and upper ends of the lake, mid-80s are consistently found.  Water clarity is normal (very clear).

Even though the morning bass bite remains slow on Lake Keowee, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that it is showing some signs of beginning to pick up.  Lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits (if windy), and topwater baits fished early on rocky points are the best bet.

After the sun gets up, look for fish either in the 15-25 foot range with a shaky head or look for deeper fish in 35-50 feet with a drop shot or small spoon.  Keep an eye out for bait and any schooling fish at all times.

September 14

Lake Keowee is at 97.9% of full pool, and water temperatures remain high with the recent warm weather.  They range from about 86 on the lower and upper ends to around 90 still in the mid-lake area around the Hot Hole.  Water clarity is normal (very clear).

The bass bite remains tough on Lake Keowee, but N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that a few fish are being caught early on topwaters such as a Sammy or Mikey Jr.  The best bite is in areas where fish are schooling.  While they are on top, a walking bait like a Sammy or an Evergreen JT 95 is a good choice.  The best colors are chrome or blue back herring patterns.

When they are not on the surface look for fish with electronics and use a drop shot or small spoon when found.  The best depths are 35 to 50 feet with small bait presentations.  If there is no bait present in an area or no surface activity, keep moving until you find bait.

Keep your eyes open for any schooling at all times – even over very deep water.  The top water bite will continue to improve in the coming weeks when we get some cooling temperatures.

Charles also reports that his trips are now running the all-new 2020 Skeeter FXR Limited Edition Boat, pictured below.

September 9

Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool, and water temperatures are still in the mid-80s over most of the lake with upper 80s and low 90s around the power plant.  Water clarity is normal (very clear).

There’s not a lot of change in the bassbite on Lake Keowee, as Guide Charles Townson(864-324-2065) reports that continued very warm weather is keeping the water temperatures high.  The early morning bite is best with small crankbaits and topwater baits on points, humps, and shoals.  After the sun comes up, look for deeper fish in the 30-50 foot range with a drop shot or small spoon.

Schooling activity should continue to improve over the next few weeks, but there are already some good fish like the one below being caught.  Any area holding bait can result in fish schooling, generally over deep water or around points near deep water.  Finding those areas can make for a good morning using topwater baits such as a Sammy in clear or chrome shades.

August 29

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool, and water temperatures have peaked and are slowly beginning to drop. Today water temperatures were 85.7 on the south end.  Water clarity is normal (very clear).

Bassfishing remains tough on Lake Keowee, but Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the action should start to improve as the water temperatures drop.  Some fish can be caught early on points and humps throwing small crankbaits and topwater baits.  Any fish schooling can be caught using just about any topwater bait – a walking bait in chrome or blueback herring color is a good choice.

There are also some fish in their deepest summer haunts.  These fish are often suspended over very deep water (70 feet plus) on drop-offs or channel swings.  These fish can be targeted with drop shots or small jigging spoons.

August 21

Lake Keowee is at 97.3% of full pool, and water temperatures are in the high 80s to around 90 on most of the lake.  Water clarity is normal (very clear).

Bassfishing remains in a difficult summer pattern on Lake Keowee, but Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that they are still catching fish on a couple of productive patterns.  The best bet is fishing topwater and small crankbaits on points/humps at daybreak.  If bait can be found in an area, there can also be some schooling going on throughout the day.  A walking bait is best for these fish that are chasing bait.

There are also some fish shallow that are cruising around old bream beds – a prop bait or popper can be used along with a frog.

During the heat of the day the best pattern is to fish for bass suspended over deep water (40+ feet) that can be targeted with drop shots or small spoons once located on electronics.  It is not unusual to catch a dozen or more spots deep on this technique.

Finally, there is better fishing at night with the warm temperatures and boat traffic.

August 11

Lake Keowee is at 97.7% of full pool, and water temperatures are in the mid to high 80s over most of the lake but low 80s at the very northern end of the lake.  Water clarity is normal (very clear).

Bassfishing remains in a difficult summer pattern on Lake Keowee, but Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) continues to report that there are some productive patterns.  The best bet is fishing topwater and small crankbaits on points/humps at daybreak.  If bait can be found in an area, there is also some schooling going on throughout the day.  A walking bait is best for these fish that are chasing bait.

There are also some fish shallow that are cruising around old bream beds – a prop bait or popper can be used along with a frog.

Some fish are also suspended over deep water (40+ feet) and can be targeted with drop shots or small spoons if located.

Finally, there is better fishing at night with the warm temperatures and boat traffic.

August 3

Lake Keowee is at 97.7% of full pool, and water temperatures are in the high 80s over most of the lake, but reaching the low 90s around the power plant and Mile Creek.  Around Jocassee dam temperatures have reached the mid 80s.   Water clarity is normal (very clear).

While bassfishing generally remains in a tough summer pattern on Lake Keowee,  Guide Charles Townson(864-324-2065) reports that there are some exceptions.  Early morning fish can be caught off points and shallow humps with crankbaits and topwaters.  About an hour after sunrise there is also a good topwater bite in areas holding schools of baitfish.

After the sun gets up, fish can also be caught deeper with drop shots or small spoons.  A good depth is 35-50 feet in any area where bait is present.

There are also some good fish shallow around any bream beds and some “wolf packs” cruising the shorelines.  Keep a topwater handy at all times for any schooling fish.

July 28

Lake Keowee is at 97.4% of full pool, and water temperatures remain in the high 80s over most of the lake with the exception of the very north end near the Jocassee dam where they are in the low to mid-80s.  Water clarity is normal (very clear).

Fishing overall remains tough on Lake Keowee, and Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that most tournaments are showing low weights with a few exceptions.

Early, fish can be caught on points and humps with crankbaits, topwaters, or flukes.  After the sun comes up, fish can be found deeper on drop shots or small spoons in anywhere from 25 to 50 feet of water.  Look for any concentrations of bait and keep an eye open for fish chasing bait.

Some bigger fish can be caught shallow throwing a frog around cover after the sun is up – this is a more likely pattern to catch largemouth on.

July 18

Lake Keowee is at 98.7% of full pool, and water temperatures are in the high 80s over most of the lake and the low 80s north of the Highway 11 bridge to the Jocassee dam.  Water clarity is normal (very clear).

Due to the high water temperatures fishing is in the summer doldrums on Lake Keowee, and Guide Charles Townson(864-324-2065) reports that anything over ten pounds in recent tournaments has been a good bag.  At first light, there is a topwater bite on shallow points and humps with rock present.  Walking-type topwaters seem to be working best.  These fish can also be targeted with soft plastics like a shakey head for the first hour or so in the morning.

After the sun gets up, fish are moving deeper or under cover/shade.  A good depth right now is in the 25 to 40 foot range, using a shakey head or drop shot.  Some fish are schooling and chasing bait at times so always have something on to throw at them.

Some suspended fish can be found in areas with bait fish present in the 35 to 50 foot range.  A dropshot or small spoon will work on these fish.  More fish will be suspended over deep water in the coming weeks with the hot water temperatures.

June 14

Lake Keowee is at 98.6% of full pool, and lots of rain and cooler temperatures over the past week have driven water temperatures back down into the high 70s over the south end of the lake, into the 80s mid-lake, and into the lower 70s on the north end.  Major creeks are once again stained, particularly in the backs, and the main lake has some color to it as well.

Despite changes in water conditions, Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the early bite remains good on points, humps, and flats where any bait is present.  These fish can be caught on crankbaits, small swimbaits, flukes, and topwaters.

After the sun gets up, the bite is tougher and fish move out deeper so a shakey head or Carolina rig is a good option in 15-25 feet of water.  There are also some fish starting to suspend off deeper humps and channels and they can be targeted with a drop shot, jigging spoon, or deep diving crankbait.

June 3

Lake Keowee is at 97.7% of full pool, and water temperatures have risen into the mid-80s over most of the lake, with the exception of the very northern end near the Jocassee dam where they are still in the 70s.  Clarity is normal again.

It’s no surprise that bass are in a typical summertime pattern on Lake Keowee, and Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that there is a good early morning bite using topwaters and crankbaits on points, humps and flats where bait is present.  This bite will only last until the sun gets up, however, and then you have to fish deeper with a shakey head, drop shot, or Carolina rig.  There should be some fish starting to suspend off deeper humps and channel swings in the next few weeks with the high water temperatures, but this does not seem to be happening yet.