September 11

Lake Keowee is up to 98.5% of full pool. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 80s over most of the lake and low 80s at the far north end of the lake. Water clarity is normal. 

The water is slowly beginning to cool on Lake Keowee, and accordingly N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that even though bass fishing remains mostly in a summer pattern there are some early signs of the fall transition starting. This is beginning to show up in the form of more schooling fish off points all around the lake.  Look for concentrations of bait or surface activity and throw any walking topwater bait into the schooling fish - silver/chrome colors are best. 

Early in the morning, try shallow points and flats with topwaters or small crankbaits.  After the sun gets up, a shaky head with a six-inch finesse worm is a good choice in 15-20 feet of water.  There are also some deeper suspended fish in 35-45 feet of water that can be targeted with a drop shot or small spoon.

However, anglers should always have a topwater tied on and be ready for schooling action. 

September 4

Lake Keowee is up to 97.9% of full pool while water temperatures remains in the mid-80s over most of the lake with lower 80s around the Jocassee dam. Water clarity is normal. 

The bass fishing remains fairly stable from last week on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that there is still an early bite on points and flats where bait is present on topwater lures or small crankbaits.  Some schooling is taking place on the lake and this trend should accelerate when the water begins to cool. 

After the sun gets up fish drop shots or small spoon out to 60 feet on points and sharp drop-offs.

August 27

Lake Keowee is at 96.9% of full pool and water temperatures are in the mid-80s over most of the lake with lower 80s around the Jocassee dam. Water clarity is normal. 

Bass remain in a summertime pattern on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that there are some early morning fish being caught on topwaters and small crankbaits off points and flats.  After the sun gets up, targeting fish with a drop shot out to 60 feet is the best bet right now in the heat of the day.

Some schooling activity is present around the lake and it can be very productive if you can locate one of these areas.  It can happen anywhere on Keowee where bait is present – from a creek to off a shoal or over very deep water.  If there's a school of baitfish, then topwater action can happen.  This random schooling activity is one of the quirks of Lake Keowee. 

August 17

Lake Keowee is at 97.8% of full pool and water temperatures have probably reached their summertime highs with high 80s over most of the lake.  The coolest water is at the base of the Jocassee dam.  Water clarity is normal. 

Bass fishing patterns remain fairly consistent on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that there have been some early morning fish caught on topwater lures on points and flats.  Walking baits have been the best producers.  This week there has also been an uptick in schooling activity on the lake, especially on the northern end of the lake. 

After the sun gets up, look for fish out to 60 feet with drop shots or small spoons. 

Night fishing is still a good option with baits such as a Texas rigged worm or shakey head.  Target rocky points and steep drops out to about 20 feet.

August 2

Lake Keowee is at 97.3% of full pool and water temperatures are in the mid- to high 80s over most of the lake now.  Water clarity is normal. 

It’s still very hot in the Upstate, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that as a result not too much has changed in Lake Keowee bass fishing this week.

There is an early morning bite on points and flats where bait is present using small crankbaits and topwater baits.  Keep moving until you find some bait and feeding fish.  This bite lasts only the first 60-90 minutes after first light, but look for schooling fish at all times on the lake – including over deeper water. 

After the sun gets up, deeper fish in 40 plus feet can be targeted with a drop shot or spoon. 

It’s a good time to go night fishing given the heat of the day and boat traffic on the lake.

July 25

Lake Keowee is at 96.9% of full pool and water temperatures are now in the high 80s over most of the lake, with the exception being the far northern end of the lake near the Jocassee dam where temperatures are around 80.  Water clarity is normal. 

While not too much has changed in the past week on Lake Keowee, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that there are some subtle differences on the water. 

There continues to be a fair to good early morning bass bite on points and flats where bait is present.  Fish small crankbaits or topwaters in these areas.  The topwater bite can last for up to two hours after first light so don't give up on it too early. 

There is more schooling activity on the lake in the past week, particularly on the northern end of the lake from Mile Creek up to the Jocassee dam.  Be aware that fish can school over deep water on Keowee so always have a topwater ready. 

After the sun gets up in the morning, deeper fish off points in 50 feet of water can be targeted with a drop shot or spoon.  This is also a good time of year for night fishing given the highs during the day.

July 16

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool and water temperatures over most of the lake are now in the upper 80s with the heat wave this past week.  The coolest water can be found at the base of the Jocassee dam.  Water clarity is normal. 

With the high temperatures on Lake Keowee, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that bass fishing is getting a bit tougher each day.  Early morning and nights are the best opportunity to catch bass.  During the low light conditions, small crankbaits on points and flats, along with topwater baits, are effective.  Keep moving and looking for feeding fish and/or the presence of bait.  In areas holding bait, fish may be schooling at times so have something ready to cast to them on the surface. 

After the sun gets up, the bite has slowed down considerably.  The best option is a shakey head or similar bait fished on the bottom in 15-30 feet of water.  There are also some fish suspended in deeper water that can be targeted with a drop shot or spoon – these fish are typically very scattered however. 

Overall, fishing is moving into a difficult period with the high water temperatures on the lake.

July 10

Lake Keowee is at 98.6% of full pool and water temperatures are now in the mid-80s over most of the lake. The coolest water is near the base of the Jocassee dam.  A heavy rain on July 9 has some of the major creeks on the lower end of the lake stained, but otherwise the water is clear. 

Even as it warms bass fishing patterns are fairly stable on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that an

early morning bite on points and shallow flats can be found with crankbaits and topwater baits.  Finding an area holding bait will lead to some schooling activity, particularly in the morning. 

After the sun gets up, try deeper baits such as a shakey head, or drop shot out to 45 feet of water.  Now is also a good time for night fishing with the warm water temperatures and heavy boat traffic.

Some fish are schooling at times in areas holding good concentrations of baitfish so always have a topwater handy.

July 2

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool and water temperatures are mostly in the low 80s throughout the lake although the high 70s can be found in the Jocassee dam area. Clarity is normal. 

Fishing is slowing down as temperatures rise on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that early morning and late evening or nights are definitely the best times to be on the water.  There is an early morning bite on points and shoals with topwater baits or small crankbaits, but you might have to try a number of areas before finding a productive section. 

After the sun gets up, try soft plastics such as a shakey head or Carolina rig on deeper points or humps in 15-30 feet of water. 

There are also fish suspending out over deeper water points, humps or anywhere else there is bait and they can be caught with a drop shot or spoon when you can find them. While fish do not usually get as deep in the water column as in the winter, at times they will suspend in very deep water.   

Some fish are schooling at times in areas holding good concentrations of baitfish so always have a topwater handy.

 

June 26

Lake Keowee is down to 98.1% of full pool and water temperatures are mostly in the low 80s throughout the lake, except in the area near the Jocassee dam where they remain in the 70s. Clarity is normal. 

It’s a time of year when things are usually pretty stable on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that not too much has changed on Keowee in the past week. 

There is still a good early morning and late evening bite on points and shallow flats with topwater baits or small crankbaits.  After the sun gets up, the bite is getting tougher and a soft plastic such as a shakey head or Carolina rig off deeper points in 20-25 feet is an option.  Some fish are out deeper around deep points, humps or anywhere else there is bait and they can be targeted with a drop shot rig. While fish do not usually get as deep in the water column as in the winter, at times they will suspend in very deep water.  

Some fish are schooling at times in areas holding good concentrations of baitfish so always have a topwater handy.

June 19

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool. With the cold front this week water temperatures have remained in the high 70s to mid-80s over most of the lake.  The coolest water is in the very north end of the lake.  Clarity is normal. 

Despite the cold front water temperatures did not drop too much this week, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that there continues to be a good early morning and late evening bassbite on points and humps with small crankbaits and topwaters. 

After the sun gets up, target fish in the 10-20 foot range with soft plastics.  Some fish are out deeper and can be targeted with a drop shot in 40+ feet of water.

Schooling activity is taking place at scattered locations throughout the lake but no one location or area is consistent in this pattern. 

 

June 11

Lake Keowee is at 98.9% of full pool. Water temperatures have risen quickly this past week with most of the lake now in the low to mid 80s.  The coolest water is in the very north end of the lake.  Clarity is normal. 

Now fishing out of the new 2020 Skeeter FXR21 Limited Edition from N&C Marine, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that a good early bass morning bite continues on points and flats where bait is found.  Topwater lures and crankbaits can catch these fish for the first ninety minutes of daylight. 

After the sun gets up, the fishing is getting tougher.  Target deeper fish (15-25 feet) with a shakey head or Carolina rig.  A dropshot in 40 plus feet of water is also starting to produce. 

Sporadic schooling activity is occurring on the lake but it’s not widespread in any specific section of the lake. 

Evening and night fishing is more active on the lake now as the daytime bite declines.

June 5

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool. Warm weather this week has moved the temperatures up into the high 70s over most of the lake, although the area around the Jocassee dam is the coolest spot on the lake with temperatures in the low 70s.  Water clarity is back to normal. 

More consistent summer-like weather has been a boon for bass fishing on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that the early morning bite on Keowee has been very good to excellent this past week.  Topwater baits and small crankbaits are producing on points and flats in the early morning.  The topwater bite has lasted until 9-10 a.m. some mornings.   Move quickly from point to point until you find feeding fish. 

After the sun gets up, fish deeper with a shakey head or small Texas rig worm in 15-25 feet off steep banks and docks in the shade.  Some schooling is happening so keep an eye open for that at all times.