May 1, 2026 Tackle Shack

4/30/2026 - Are the Crappie Biting? Trout Fishing great across Tioga County

Cool weather and cold rain have been slowing up the crappie bite across the region. The best bite continues to be on smaller lakes and ponds. On Hammond, Tioga, and Cowanesque Lakes, most anglers are finding fish suspended in deeper water. With the current forecast, it will likely be mid May to the latter part of the month for the peak of the spawn on the larger lakes. Pictured is a crappie from last season at Hamond on the Eurotackle B-Vibe. Stay tuned for updates!

In the meantime, look for them offshore suspended, or around artificial structures and submerged trees. Trolling with Flicker shads and similar smaller crankbaits can be a very effective way to locate roamers.

Walleye season opens this Saturday. A few people have been getting them in the Tioga River, particularly at the spillway, and conditions look good for a great start to the season.

Trout fishing continues to be good across the county in the stocked and wild trout streams. Rain yesterday has the creeks full, but mostly running clear. Pine Creek has been fishing well with both flies and a variety of live baits or spinning gear. Butterworms, berkley pink worms, salmon eggs, and wax worms have been the most popular baits on the creeks. Garlic powerbait and corn powerbait are working best on the lakes. Most have done best fishing it off the bottom with a slip sinker. Stop in and we're glad to show you how to rig it this way too!

Check our latest hatch and fly fishing reports here- Fly Fishing Upper Pine Creek Reports

Good luck out there!

Filed in: Fishing Reports