5/14/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Pine Creek & More

5/14/2026

Tioga & Hammond Lake Fishing Report-
Water temps are fluctuating and holding in the high 50's to low 60's.  Crappie fishing has been picked nicely this week with a fairly large push of fish into the shallows.  Boaters are also finding fish deeper in 10-15 feet of water.  Chartreuse, pearl, orange/chartreuse, and pink/chartreuse jigs have all been working. Live minnows are also working

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

Water temps in the mid 50's and much of the lake is fairly stained.  Anglers are catching some bass, crappies, and muskies recently. The spillway has been fishing well too and muskies were reported these past few days.  Crappies are mostly holding offshore in 15-20.  Some reports of crappies in shallow came in.  Bass are scattered in shore and deeper.  Chatterbaits were working well.  Some stripers were caught around lawrence recreation and near the dam using jerkbaits and glidebaits.

Hills Creek Lake Fishing Report

Hills Creek has been fishing well and anglers are catching sunfish, crappies, and perch on a variety of live baits.  Crappies are scattered and some are being caught in shore on the campground side.  Bass fishing is picking up and some are being caught on topwater.  Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits continue to work well too.

Hamilton & Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

Trout fishing continues to be good here and some panfish are being caught too.  Powerbait fished off the bottom has been best for trout.  Trolling with small spinners and stickbaits is also producing fish.

Nessmuk Lake Fishing Report

Anglers are mostly catching bluegills and a handful of crappies here from shore.  nightcrawlers, redworms, and an assortment of jigs are working

Pine Creek Fishing Report

Pine has a slight tint to it and water temps have ranged between 48 and 55. There is a ton of fish throughout upper Pine.  Flows are on the high side again, but plenty fishable. This weekend is the Upper Pine Creek Trout Tournament.  Expect a lot of extra angling pressure Saturday and Sunday. Butterworms, wax worms, salmon eggs, and a variety of lures are working.  Joe's flies spinners and roostertails were particularly popular, as well as fire tiger and trout colored Rapala lures.

Check out the latest fly fishing and hatch report here- Upper Pine Creek Fly Fishing Report

Tioga River Fishing Report

Anglers have been fishing the spillway with moderate success.  Crappies and perch have been biting well on small swimbaits and jigs.  Live minnows are also working.  Some walleyes are being caught, though most noted a challenging bite.  Live shiners, nightcrawlers, fatheads, and Keitech swimbaits are working.

Looking for info on other waters?  We're glad to help!  Give us a call at 570-724-5138 or shoot an email to info@shoptackleshack.com