How to Fish Lake Keowee: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Lake Keowee

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 21, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Keowee

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	58-68	Spotted bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging, actively feeding on shad while moving towards spawning areas Fish are relating to transitional structure like points and saddles, showing increased feeding activity during stable weather patterns	Main lake points adjacent to spawning pockets Saddles and shoals in 15-25 foot depth range Secondary points in major creek arms	Soft Jerkbaits worked with a subtle stop-and-go retrieve Underspins near bait schools Shakey Heads worked along point transitions	Gizzard and Thread-fin Shad schools Blueback Herring in deeper water	Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	50-60	Pre-spawn bass actively staging on transitional areas between winter and spawning grounds, following baitfish movements Fish becoming more aggressive as water temperatures warm, moving from deeper winter areas to shallower staging points	Main lake points adjacent to spawning pockets Wind-blown rocky shorelines with sun exposure Protected pockets with baitfish presence	Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses Shakey Heads worked slowly along bottom structure Lipless Crankbaits around baitfish schools	Shad schools in pockets and along points Blueback herring starting to move shallow	Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	58-68	Spotted bass are in various spawning stages across the lake, with some having completed spawning near warm water areas while others are still actively spawning Post-spawn fish are transitioning to dock-oriented patterns, showing cautious behavior and requiring precise bait presentation Fish are relatively shallow but spooky, indicating increased sensitivity to pressure during the spawning period	Docks and dock walkways providing spawning cover and post-spawn transition areas Points adjacent to spawning flats, especially in creek arms Protected shallow areas with hard bottom composition	Wacky Rigs skipped under docks with precise presentations Shakey Heads worked along points and dock edges Soft Jerkbaits for suspended fish transitioning between spawning areas	Blueback Herring schools beginning their own spawn Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Largemouth bass are actively moving into spawning areas, particularly in protected pockets and coves with stable water temperatures Males are establishing and guarding nests in shallow water, while females stage nearby in slightly deeper water Feeding activity is heightened pre-spawn, with aggressive strikes to protect nesting areas during spawn	Protected shallow coves and pockets with firm bottom near deeper water Areas behind docks providing wind protection and stable temperatures Secondary points leading into spawning pockets	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas Soft Jerkbaits for pre-spawn fish staging near spawning areas Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along transition routes to spawning areas	Blueback Herring moving shallow for their own spawn Shad schools in pockets and around spawning areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	62-68	Spotted bass are transitioning to post-spawn feeding patterns, actively pursuing bait around docks and points in 4-10 ft zones Early morning topwater activity followed by movement to slightly deeper structure as the day progresses	Docks in 4-10 foot depth range, especially those near spawning flats Main lake points adjacent to spawning pockets Shallow flats with drop-off access	Ned Rigs worked slowly around docks and points Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and targeting actively feeding fish Hard Topwater (Walking) during early morning hours	Blueback Herring schooling in shallow to mid-depth ranges Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-75	Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively guarding fry in shallow areas, particularly around docks and other protective cover, showing aggressive behavior towards potential threats Fish are also transitioning to early summer patterns, splitting time between shallow points and secondary points as they begin to follow baitfish schools	Docks and dock walkways with fry present Shallow points away from main lake Secondary points and ledges in 15 foot depth range	Soft Jerkbaits twitched near fry-guarding bass Shakey Heads worked across points Football Jigs dragged along ledges and secondary points	Bass fry (being guarded by adult bass) Shad Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Spotted Bass	72-84	Actively following and feeding on schooling baitfish (herring and shad), with early morning surface activity transitioning to deeper suspending patterns during midday Secondary pattern of targeting bluegill beds in creek pockets and around docks, especially during afternoon hours	Main lake and river/creek points with drop-offs, especially those near bait schools Brush piles in 20-30 foot depths for midday refuge Docks and marinas with access to deep water	Hard Topwater (Walking) worked fast and erratic during early morning hours Drop Shot over brush piles and suspended fish during midday Bladed Jigs on windy points	Blueback Herring schooling near points and saddles Shad in main lake areas and around structure Bluegill on shallow flats and around docks	Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	65-77	Maintaining both shallow and deep patterns due to stained water (1.5m clarity) and abundant cover, with active feeding periods around docks, laydowns, and brush in 1-15ft Showing strong early morning surface activity around bait schools, transitioning to structure-oriented patterns during midday	Docks in 10-15 feet of water providing shade and ambush points Laydowns and isolated stick-ups in shallow water (1-5 feet) Back areas of dingy creeks with woody cover	Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around shallow cover Shakey Heads around docks and deeper structure Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for actively feeding fish Buzzbaits during early morning hours around laydowns	Blueback Herring schooling near surface and around structure Shad in mid-depth ranges around docks Bluegill around shallow cover and brush	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Keowee

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Spotted Bass	65-72	Actively chasing baitfish schools in deep water, suspending 20-30 feet down and willing to move up in the water column to attack prey Relating heavily to main lake points with deep water access, following bait movements throughout the day	Main lake points adjacent to deep water, especially those holding bait schools Bridge pilings where baitfish congregate Suspended bait balls in open water, typically near structure	Spybaits worked above bait schools with medium to slow retrieve Hard Jerkbaits with aggressive jerk-pause cadence over points Blade Baits targeting suspended fish near bait balls	Blueback Herring in large suspended schools Shad congregating around points and structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Actively following shad and blueback herring schools into coves and pockets as baitfish migrate to shallower water Utilizing points and shallow cover as ambush locations during morning and evening feeding periods Becoming more aggressive in feeding due to cooling water temperatures and need to build energy reserves	Main lake points adjacent to creek channels, especially those with laydowns or brush Shallow dock areas in the backs of coves where baitfish are congregating Secondary points with woody cover in 3-8 foot depth range	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline and around points Spinnerbaits worked around dock posts and through schools of bait Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) to match prevalent shad forage	Shad schools moving into creeks and coves Blueback herring concentrating around points and structure Juvenile bream relating to shallow cover	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Spotted Bass	50-55	Spotted bass are holding deep (60-75ft) around brush piles and main channel bends, closely relating to bait balls of blueback herring and shad Fish are maintaining close bottom contact in the cold water, but will suspend to feed when bait schools are present overhead	Deep brush piles in 60-75 foot depth range along main channel bends Main lake points with nearby bait schools River channels with deep structure	Drop Shot with blue back minnow presentations around deep brush Ned Rigs worked slowly with constant bottom contact Heavy finesse jigs worked through brush piles Hard Jerkbaits worked around suspended bait balls	Blueback Herring in large schools around deep structure Shad concentrating in bait balls	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	50-58	Transitioning between shallow and deep water based on daily temperature fluctuations, with recent reports showing activity in both 5' and 30' zones Actively feeding on shad near brush piles and rock structure, with less aggressive feeding behavior typical of winter conditions	Brush piles in 25-30 foot range, particularly near channel swings or points Shallow rock and rip rap areas, especially those that warm quickly on sunny days Transition areas between shallow and deep water that allow quick depth changes	Shakey Heads worked slowly around brush piles and deeper structure Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along rip rap and rocky banks Football Jigs dragged slowly along deeper structure	Shad schooling in both shallow and deep water Crawfish emerging from rocky areas during warmer periods	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Keowee

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Main lake points adjacent to spawning pockets	Saddles and shoals in 15-25 foot depth range
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points adjacent to spawning pockets	Wind-blown rocky shorelines with sun exposure
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Docks and dock walkways providing spawning cover and post-spawn transition areas	Points adjacent to spawning flats, especially in creek arms
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves and pockets with firm bottom near deeper water	Areas behind docks providing wind protection and stable temperatures
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Docks in 4-10 foot depth range, especially those near spawning flats	Main lake points adjacent to spawning pockets
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks and dock walkways with fry present	Shallow points away from main lake
Summer	Spotted Bass	Main lake and river/creek points with drop-offs, especially those near bait schools	Brush piles in 20-30 foot depths for midday refuge
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Docks in 10-15 feet of water providing shade and ambush points	Laydowns and isolated stick-ups in shallow water (1-5 feet)
Fall	Spotted Bass	Main lake points adjacent to deep water, especially those holding bait schools	Bridge pilings where baitfish congregate
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points adjacent to creek channels, especially those with laydowns or brush	Shallow dock areas in the backs of coves where baitfish are congregating
Winter	Spotted Bass	Deep brush piles in 60-75 foot depth range along main channel bends	Main lake points with nearby bait schools
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Brush piles in 25-30 foot range, particularly near channel swings or points	Shallow rock and rip rap areas, especially those that warm quickly on sunny days

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Gizzard and Thread-fin Shad schools	Blueback Herring in deeper water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools in pockets and along points	Blueback herring starting to move shallow
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Blueback Herring schools beginning their own spawn	Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Blueback Herring moving shallow for their own spawn	Shad schools in pockets and around spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Blueback Herring schooling in shallow to mid-depth ranges	Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bass fry (being guarded by adult bass)	Shad
Summer	Spotted Bass	Blueback Herring schooling near points and saddles	Shad in main lake areas and around structure
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Blueback Herring schooling near surface and around structure	Shad in mid-depth ranges around docks
Fall	Spotted Bass	Blueback Herring in large suspended schools	Shad congregating around points and structure
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools moving into creeks and coves	Blueback herring concentrating around points and structure
Winter	Spotted Bass	Blueback Herring in large schools around deep structure	Shad concentrating in bait balls
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling in both shallow and deep water	Crawfish emerging from rocky areas during warmer periods

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Keowee

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Light Neutral Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Spotted Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Spotted Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Spotted Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Winter	Spotted Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

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