5/28/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Pine Creek and More

Tioga and Hammond Lake Fishing Report-
Water temps are in the low to mid 60's and crappies have been biting well for most anglers.  Evenings have been best for shore anglers and boaters are finding fish throughout the day on offshore structure, weeds, and some in shallow.  The fish are in a variety of stages of the spawn with some done and some still waiting to come in shore.  Structure in 10-15 feet has been productive.  Trolling with Flicker shad, Rapala UL crankbaits, and smaller swimbaits/soft plastics is working too. Chartreuse, pearl, orange/chartreuse, and pink/chartreuse jigs have all been working. Live minnows are also working.  Fluctuating weather patterns have made the day to day bites very different.  Some excellent days and some mediocre days, but everyone is catching fish.  

Check out our latest Youtube video featuring our favorite crappie baits for offshore crappie fishing

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 high 50's to mid 60s and much of the lake is fairly stained, particularly in the upper end.  Anglers have been catching bullheads near nelson falls and an occasional channel catfish.  Crappies are being caught in 5-30 feet of water.  Scoping deeper fish with minnow baits has been effective, but anglers are also finding some on standing timber, fallen trees, and some offshore structure.  Some muskies are being caught on glidebaits and live suckers.

Hills Creek Lake Fishing Report

Hills Creek has been fishing well and anglers are catching perch and crappies on live minnows and redworms.  Bluegills and sunfish are up on beds and some bass are holding up shallow too.  The topwater bite has been improving with good catches on buzzbaits and whopper ploppers.  Pickerel are also being caught.

Hamilton & Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

Trout fishing is slowing down with some still being caught on powerbait, live minnows, and a variety of spinners.  Crappies have been more cooperative with live minnows and a variety of jigs working well.  Most of the fish are on the tail end of the spawn in both lakes. 

Nessmuk Lake Fishing Report

Anglers are catching lots of bluegills from the dock, as well as some perch, crappie, and bass.  nightcrawlers and redworms are working well for the bluegills. 

Pine Creek Fishing Report

Pine is full and off color, but improving by the hour.  Heavy rains over the weekend brought Pine up and it is coming back down to better levels now.  Wading can be challenging in the faster runs.  Butterworms and waxworms are still working well.  Crankbaits/Stickbaits, particularly redfin minnow, brown trout, and rainbow trout patterns, are all working.

There are plenty of fish in Pine Creek between state stockings and club stockings.

Catch our latest fly fishing and hatch report- Pine Creek Fly Fishing & Hatch Report 

Tioga River Fishing Report

Pictured above- Mike (Staff) with a nice perch from this morning at Tioga River

Anglers have been fishing the spillway with good success.  Perch and Crappies have been biting well on small swimbaits and jigs.   Live minnows are also working.  Walleye fishing has been sluggish with a few being caught on swimbaits.  Smallmouth and rockbass are being caught too.

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