10/1/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Pine Creek and More

Tackle Shack Quick Take-
Fall is here!  Cooler weather has been improving the bite countywide with good catches of panfish and bass.  Trout to be restocked on Hamilton and Pine Creek on Oct 7th

Salmon fishing is heating up on the Lake Ontario tribs.  We are glad to help you get setup for your trip and can recommend some areas we like to hit in the fall too.

Tioga and Hammond Lake Fishing Report-

Crappie fishing has been good all week with anglers catching them on both plastics and live minnows.  Structure in 10-20 feet of water has been best on both lakes.  On Tioga, the connecting channel and structure near the route 15 bridge have both been good too.

Bass fishing has been excellent all week with good catches in and around weed beds.  The topwater bite continues to be good, particularly in the no wake zone and near shallow weeds on Hammond.

The river channel before the main lake on Tioga is producing a lot of bass too.  This will continue to be a good area for another couple weeks.  As water temps drop in the 50's and lower, most of these fish will head back to the main lake.  Enjoy it while you can!

Pictured: Mark & Brett Flynn with 4 nice bass from Hammond at this past weekend's Skip Bastian Memorial Bass Tournament.  Note the circled Meanmouth bass - a rare smallmouth/largemouth hybrid!

Hammond Lake is officially under Panfish Enhancement Regulations.  Anglers may harvest 20 crappies measuring at least 9".   This only affects Hammond Lake.  

Cowanesque Lake Fishing Report

Smallmouth are being caught at Nelson falls on jigs, ned rigs, and live shiners.  Action is starting to slow down some.  A few muskies are being caught on the main lake too.

Bass fishing has been challenging for many though most of the fish being caught are nice sized, including numerous 4 and 5lb bass.  Shallow areas with weeds and timber are producing best.  Water temps are in the low 60's and dropping.  Some smallmouth are being caught off shore, and this bite should improve as water temps drop into the mid 50's.

The Skip Bastian Memorial Bass Tournament finished here last Sunday with a top bag of 14.43 lbs and a 5.89lb lunker.  

Check out the latest Walleye survey that PFBC shared this week. - PFBC Walley Survey

Hills Creek Lake Fishing Report

Both crappie and perch are being caught trolling and also using small 1-2" plastics in some deeper water in about 8-15 feet. Topwater has still been consistent for bass.  Dragging texas rigged soft plastics along weedlines has been producing good numbers too.

Hamilton Lake Fishing Report

Still a great panfish bite going on. Bluegills, perch, and crappie are all being caught anywhere from 5-20 feet of water. Small plastics and live bait has been best for this. Bass are being caught fishing slower on spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, ned rigs, neko rigs. 

Hamilton is scheduled to be restocked with trout on October 7th.

Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

Crappies and perch are being caught on weed lines and near downed trees.  Small plastics, including trout magnets, and both live minnows and redworms are working.. Bass are being caught along weed lines and weed beds. Cooler water should encourage trout fishing to improve soon.  Beechwood will be restocked in December.

Nessmuk Lake Fishing Report

Bass and panfish are still being caught around the dock. Worms and small plastics have been good for panfish. Bass should be roaming around in deeper water offshore now getting ready to move into their fall/winter spots. Try Jerk baits and spinnerbaits on the weed edges.  Weeds are dying back some and more shoreline is becoming accessible from for fishing from the bank, particularly near the dock.

Pine Creek Fishing Report

Pine is low and is a nice clear/green color.  Some Holdover trout are being caught in the Keystone select stretch area and in deeper pools or runs in upper Pine. Small stick baits, butter worms, and Joe's flies spinners are working. See the latest Fly Fishing Report here - 10/1 Fly Fishing Report

The Keystone select stretch will be restocked on October 7th. Just a reminder- This stretch is artificial lure/fly only and harvest is closed under Delayed harvest regulations.

Walleye fishing has remained steady. Swimbaits and live bait have been best. Panfish and bass being caught too.  Evenings have been most productive.

Tackle Shack Tip of the Week-

Mike: Expect to start finding fish in different areas than you have been previously throughout the summer. Water temperature greatly impacts where fish will move and where they will set up.

Don: Fall is a great time to catch fish on topwater.  If you're getting short strikes or missing fish, try throwing a wacky rigged senko or texas rigged soft plastic to the area you missed the fish.  Often times, bass will take this followup presentation.