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The newest Lake Keowee fishing report, updated October 28, can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-lake-keowee-sc-fall-2017-fishing-report/
October 20
Lake Keowee is at 96.0% of full pool, and with cooler weather water temperatures have started to drop. The southern and northern ends of the lake are around 78 degrees, and in the mid-lake they are in the lower 80s. Water clarity is very good on the main lake.
Fall fishing continues to improve on Lake Keowee, and veteran angler Charles Townson of the Keowee Anglers reports that fish are feeding heavily on threadfin shad and there is more schooling activity throughout the day. Fish are following bait and moving quickly, but when they are on the surface they can be caught on a variety of topwater lures and crankbaits. Most of the schooling fish are in the main lake and entrances to the major creeks, but as water temperatures drop they will move further back into the creeks.
October 9
Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool; water temperatures are around 79 on the upper and lower ends, and in the mid-80s in the mid-lake around the nuclear power plant. With heavy rain on October 8 the back of creeks will be stained this week. Otherwise, water clarity is very good on the main lake.
Fall fishing is beginning to pick up on Lake Keowee, and veteran angler Charles Townson of the Keowee Anglers reports that much more schooling activity is now present. Topwaters and lipless crankbaits can catch the schooling fish while they are on the surface, and drop shot rigs or deeper crankbaits/jerkbaits will work after they go back down.
Some good fish are also being caught on spinnerbaits on windy days on points and rocky shorelines, and some are also coming on shakey heads with finesse worms. However, the offshore bite with schooling fish is the better pattern for numbers of fish. Charles expects this trend to continue and get even better over the next few weeks.
Tournament weights of 12 plus pounds are more common now, but that is still a very good bag on Keowee.
September 26
Lake Keowee is at 97.5% of full pool and water temperatures have warmed back up a few degrees with the recent hot weather. On the lower and upper ends of the lake, temperatures are in the high 70s to low 80s. In the middle of the lake, temperatures are in the mid 80s.
It’s gotten hotter, and as a result Lake Keowee bass have been acting more like it’s late summer than early fall. Veteran angler Charles Townson of the Keowee Anglers reports that there is a good early morning bite on topwaters, crankbaits, and shakey heads. This bite lasts for only a couple of hours at most depending upon how sunny it is.
After that, fish can be caught deeper on drop shots or shakey heads. Some fish are also coming on deeper crankbaits.
There is some schooling activity on the lake, but it is not widespread yet as the water is still too warm. Charles expects the fishing to rapidly improve with the cooler weather projected for the next few weeks.
September 15
Lake Keowee is at 96.4% of full pool and water temperatures are in the high 70s on the upper and lower ends, and in the mid-80s in the middle section of the lake around the power plant. Water clarity is good with a little stain in the back of some creeks.
The tropical storm brought a few inches of rain and some cooler days which has finally allowed the water temperatures to begin falling, and as a result bass fishing has improved.
There is a good morning bite on crankbaits, shakey heads and topwater lures on points and shorelines that are shallow and then fall into deeper water. After the sun comes up, shakey heads and drop shots will catch fish.
More schooling activity is underway now. Be sure to have a bait ready at all times to cast to breaking fish. The key is to find areas with concentrations of shad. Look for schooling fish in depths from 30 feet out to 60 or more feet, and anticipate this activity to continue to increase over the next few weeks. It can happen throughout the day.
