Oconee County - A diverse, growing, safe, vibrant community guided by rural traditions and shaped by natural beauty; where employment, education and recreation offer a rich quality of life for all generations, both today and tomorrow. Lake Keowee. Join AHQ Premier for unlimited Free Shipping & access to the AHQ Report. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The fish we caught were flat on the bottom, and when one would bite we would almost always see several more come off the bottom with it. By using this site, you agree to follow the Privacy Policy and all Terms & Conditions printed on this site. The source of the lake is the Appalachian mountain rivers which fall from dozens of waterfalls which are only visible by boat. Before and after Prespawn or postspawn, Shearon Harris Lake has plenty of bass to keep you busy this month, Jigs are great bass lures, but they are not all created equal, In March, largemouth bass are preparing for the spawn, so they are feeding heavily and vulnerable to anglers who follow these tips. Free 2-day shipping on all orders over $100! Morning surface water temperatures are nearing their winter lows with readings in the low 50s over most of the lake and just over 60 degrees near the power plant discharge. Latimers bait choices at Keowee are fairly standard for a clear lake. An angler can easily find some of these areas looking at a map of Lake Keowee, and then concentrate their time during practice in these areas looking for brush piles, and hopefully the tournament winning fish. Many tournament fishermen aim to catch a decent limit of spotted bass, then spend time trying to catch a big largemouth to give them a winning weight. Lake Jocassee in South Carolina is above Lake Keowee. For fishing bass tournaments on Lake Keowee, anglers are going to want to relate to shad pattern baits in their arsenal. In the vicinity of the Power Lines, its not uncommon to have fish suspended 20 or 30 feet deep over close to 100 feet of water that will readily attack surface lures. The bridge pilings hold bait, and bait attracts bass, especially spotted bass, Green said. Charles fishes similarly to how he fishes in the late fall and winter, although fish can be even deeper and not as grouped up and are primarily on the main lake. It also worth noting that because of the temperature variance on Lake Keowee in the spring you can more easily target fish at one stage of the spawn by moving around than on many other lakes. Any length. Baitcasting gear makes this possible, and you also get less line twists and dont need a swivel like you would on spinning gear. ACCOMMODATIONS Mountain Lakes Convention and Visitors Bureau, 877-MTLAKES, www.scmountainlakes.com. On the Oconee County side, Stamp Creek Landing is northeast of Walhalla at the end of County Road 92, just off SC 183. Of all the dangerous varieties, youre most likely near Keowee and the Upstate, to see a Cottonmouth (also called a Water Moccasin) while out on a lake, or the Copperhead which is commonly spotted even in suburban areas. These are just a couple of bait options for anglers fishing tournaments in South Carolina and getting ready to fish on Lake Keowee in the springtime. The lake holds state records for five fish species, three of which come from the bass family. The next bait is a small, finesse jigging spoon. This dive offers warm water and is performed as a drift dive due to the swift outflow from the waters in the power plant. Statewide except on the Savannah River and Lakes Hartwell, Russell and Thurmond see below. There is plenty of open, deep water for boating. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. There are bream and giant catfish in Lake Keowee, with an 89-pound blue catfish caught in the spring of 2020 and there is little doubt that there are still larger fish swimming. Crappie With the weather and water starting to slowly cool down, lots of crappie will be headed to deeper brush preparing for fall. You have 100 feet of water only 100 feet out from a major point. Copyright 1999 - 2023 Carolina Sportsman, Inc. All rights reserved. It is a very deep and clear mountain lake and gives the oppurtunity to catch four species of bass in one trip (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, and redeye species.). About: - Lake Keowee, SC. Keowee has such an abundance of spotted bass that the fish dont have any choice except to spread out over the lake, but even with such distribution, Latimer still has particular areas he prefers because of the habitat. It does have largemouth bass, with two ten-pound fish caught in tournaments this spring, but the numbers are dwindling and DNR has launched a habitat restoration project aiming to re-grow native vegetation. The day Charles and I fished we stuck to the lower lake, but the seasonal pattern is the same over most of the lake except perhaps some minor variances in depth. Like most of the lake it is mainly spotted bass at these depths, but he has caught largemouth as deep as 84 feet. The jigging spoon resembles a small dying baitfish, but more importantly an easy meal to the hungry Spotted Bass living in Lake Keowee. Crickets are also the best bait. The water from this body of water is used to cool the nuclear station. The creeks are flatter, and there is some sparse grass around the docks which are in more shallow water, as well.. Popular freshwater catches throughout South Carolina include crappie, bream, striped bass, large and small mouth bass, catfish and trout. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This lake is a mid-sized South Carolina lake and has 300 miles of shoreline. Probably close to 50 percent of the tournaments are won right here, Green said. Statewide except the water bodies listed below: No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids, Lakes Hartwell, Russell (including the Lake Hartwell tailwater), Thurmond, Tugaloo, Yonah; Stevens Creek Reservoir; the Chattooga and Savannah Rivers, No more than 10 combined total of black bass, Lakes Hartwell, Keowee, Russell (including the Lake Hartwell tailwater), Thurmond, Tugaloo, Yonah; Stevens Creek Reservoir; the Chattooga and Savannah Rivers, Lakes Blalock, Greenwood, Jocassee, Marion, Monticello, Moultrie, Murray, Secession, Wateree, Wylie and the middle reach of the Saluda River and the upper reach of the Santee River. Copyright 2021 Keowee Anglers Club. Known for its state record yellow perch, Keowee also has excellent largemouth, smallmouth, crappie and catfish opportunities. Additional public launches can be found at www.duke-energy.com/lakes/facts-and-maps/lakekeowee. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It just takes a little bit of patience and some experimenting with the casting. Tail should be pinched. This week, we might get to see just what Keowee is capable of as it plays host to the 2016 FLW College Fishing National Championship. While that may not be ideal, that they are aggressive, hard-fighting fish is impossible to deny. The approximately 18,500-acre lake has a full pool elevation of 800 feet, and it is oriented in a north/ south direction. Void Where Prohibited by Law. While a spoon is Charles go-to bait, there are other options that will work. Most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times. With maximum depths of 120 feet the water does not reach incredible depths, but because of the steep terrain there is a relative absence of flat, shallow areas. Rubio credits Keowee with forcing him to record details of every trip in a log and using the data collected over multiple trips to interpret patterns that he otherwise may not have noticed. Most Alabama Rigs sink at a rate of 2 feet per 1 second count. Among the most popular are Lake Jocasee, Lake Murray, Lake Moultrie, Lake Marion, and Lake Strom Thurmond. Special limits and regulations apply to SCDNR managed lakes. He casts them to cuts and pockets around boat docks where largemouth are lurking, particularly in the spring when the bigger females come in to bed. All trademarks and copyrights are property of their respective owners and are not affiliated with nor do they endorse this product. Water actually passes under the wall to enter the canal, so the strongest currents and consequently the most-active fish tend to be close to the bottom. Any shade of green will work well at times on Lake Keowee, but watermelon/red flake is his No. Because of the water depth, rather than seeing actual fish, hes on the lookout for dark-colored patches on the lake floor. Jocasseeoutdoorcenter.com - Xranks. Shop by brand or reel type. Anglers who are familiar with Lake Keowee are asked to suggest changes using the link above. 201705 Bass Catch & Release Guidelines. The first 73-pound striper was caught in 1973 by Charles Church at Quicks Hole. Generally Lake Keowee bass start to get into pre-spawn patterns in March, although in the warmest section of the lake near the hot hole fish can spawn as early as late February. Hotels. Youll have to access Horsepasture and Toxaway by boat, but they are easily the most scenic of the four and are best for trout fishing in the summer months. Copyright 1999 - 2023 Carolina Sportsman, Inc. All rights reserved. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. Before Lake Keowee was impounded all of the trees were cut down, and so there is no standing timber unlike in the lakes to the north and the south. [], Stripers, bass and catfish are all making major moves throughout March, and anglers can catch their share with these tips. It does not store any personal data. How do you catch big brown trout at night? Located just below Lake Jocasse, the water is surrounded by pristine wilderness and picturesque mountains. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lake Keowee is at 97.5% of full pool and clarity is normal. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The tournament, hosted by Visit Oconee, was the first event . The bridge also attracts schools of crappie and is a popular spot for crappie fishing. For example, if you want to fish for pre-spawn fish you can fish the mid-lake, then the north, then the south. Experienced members share their fishing knowledge. The state record hybrid striped bass came from the Savannah River. Thought we were. The bad news is that Keowee certainly ranks as one of the most complex lakes in South Carolina. Beyond black bass, varieties of fish that get significant attention from anglers include crappie, catfish and bluegill. In the fall when temperatures start to cool again the bite begins to improve, and surface activity can get better again. Required fields are marked *. We are a teaching and learning club that encourages anyone interested in fishing Lake Keowee, regardless of skill level, to join today! That is where we are right now, and on the day I fished with Charles bass were mixed between creeks and the main lake. Water temperatures continue to rise on the lake with the mid-lake now in the mid-60s and the upper 50s at the north and south ends. Prepare for success with accurate data about the type of fish that are caugh in Lake Keowee, learn what baits are used, and fish smarter with weather forecasts. MAPS Kingfisher Maps, 800-326-0257, www.kfmaps.com; DeLormes South Carolina Atlas and Gazetteer, 800-561-5105, www.delorme.com. Lake Keowee covers 18,370 acres and has 300 miles of shoreline. Some waterfront lots are available with mountain views, with many other waterfront lots available. In the pre-spawn period bass set up very heavily around docks, basically the one available form of cover. What animals live in Lake Keowee? Read now. Some saltwater species are measured with fork length. In November fish are often in the largest schools of the year. Snapper Grouper Complex Size & Catch Limits, Billfish & Atlantic Tunas Size & Catch Limits, Crustaceans & Shellfish Size & Catch Limits. Unlike many South Carolina lakes, Lake Keowee does not have striped bass stocked by the Department of Natural Resources or significant numbers of blueback herring. On most, its best to get out there early. Also, Keowee was once a burgeoning fishery for largemouth bass, at least as much as a deep clear, infertile lake can be, and then the spotted bass took over. The bream bite on the Cooper River has been pretty good also. Non-native spotted bass predominate, but largemouths are also quite plentiful. Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. Oh my god. Largemouth bass. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Finally, Green pointed toward The Pond, as inundated Webb Lake is best known by Keowee anglers. Another Saturday, another monster bag for Joe Anders and Greg Glouse on Lake Keowee. It is 54 feet deep on average and 297 feet at its deepest point. About Lake Keowee. Reel in the big fish with one of our handpicked fishing reels. lake jocassee underwater town lake jocassee underwater town. Sign up to get exclusive fishing reports and special offers delivered directly to your inbox. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! 7oz Smallmouth bass, a 8lb. My information base and my knowledge grew from there, said Rubio. The name brings joy to the heart of some anglers and tears to the eyes of others. With todays electronics and technology, this becomes an easier task than in years past for tournament bass anglers. HOW TO GET THERE Lake Keowees shorelines are home to ample public boat ramps. Two styles of baits that will produce great results on Lake Keowee in the springtime are Alabama Rigs, and jigging spoons. Amenities. Largemouth Bass; Spotted Bass; Crappie Experienced members share their fishing knowledge. Fish hard or soft jerkbaits in low-light conditions. But what is no secret is that right now Lake Keowee is absolutely loaded with a massive population of non-native spotted bass. He started the blog as a way to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with others, and to provide tips, tricks, and advice to fellow fishermen. Its average depth is 53 feet with a max depth of 297 feet. Learn more. As noted previously, power lines cross Lake Keowee in a few places, and each crossing can be a hot spot at times. Fish commonly concentrate on top of or just behind a sandbar that has formed just down from a washout hole, and relatively few anglers really target the sandbar. The Cane Creek ramp is north of Seneca just off SC 188. For bass fishermen, it can be a mix of both on the same day, maybe even just an hour or even a few casts apart. . January 30, 2023. You can catch a lot of fish some days by just working back and forth along the Skimmer Wall, Green said. 1060. Its an all-or-nothing spot, though, and sometimes they dont bite at all.. Local fishermen have planted dozens of brush piles throughout Cowee Branch, and that brush continues to be replenished. Lake Keowee; Oconee & Pickens counties Source: Patrick Jennings / shutterstock Lake Keowee. For bass fishermen, it can be a mix of both on the same day, maybe even just an hour or even a few casts apart. Freshwater Fish Size & Possession Limits, Only 2 fish larger than 32 inches per person may be taken, Bream, redbreast sunfish, crappie, yellow perch, pickerel, walleye & sauger. Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca Rivers. Just being on Lake Keowee, whether you are fishing or not, is a treat. No more than 10 combined total of black bass. The bass will school up and down the wall, so keep an eye out for breaking bass, and keep a topwater lure and jerkbait handy, Green said. Open April 1-October 31. Clean water. Lake Keowee. If an angler makes a couple of castes without getting a bite, then they should move on to other areas. Charles fishes this on 12-15 pound fluorocarbon and sets the drag loose since there is very little that fish could swim into and get hung up. See more . We use cookies on our website to give you the best shopping experience. The old dam itself is less than 20 feet beneath the surface, but adjacent waters are more than 50 feet deep. That learning practice eventually led me to develop the Fatsack fishing log app.. Just around the corner from the Hot Hole, a long concrete barrier known as the Skimmer Wall serves as a giant filter at the mouth of the canal that draws water for cooling purposes within the nuclear station. Lake Keowee Located across Oconee and Pickens Counties in northwest South Carolina, Lake Keowee is another major lake that has historical ties to Duke Energy. 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