5/7/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake & More

5/7/2026

Tioga & Hammond Lake Fishing Report-
Water temps continue to hold in the mid 50's and the crappie bite has been sluggish.  Most are catching them in 10-20 feet of water.  Anglers yesterday noted finding some in 40' on the bottom in Tioga.  Both lakes are stained.  Hammond is dirtier in the upper end.  Live minnows, and a variety of chartreuse and brighter colored jigs have been popular.  Trolling brighter colored flicker minnows is also producing

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.  Crappies are holding offshore in 15-20 feet and around deeper fallen trees/standing timber.  Bass are scattered in shore and deeper.  Chatterbaits were working well.  Muskies have been caught at the falls and the spillway with live suckers and mid sized glide baits.

Hills Creek Lake Fishing Report

Hills Creek has good clarity and anglers are catching some crappies from shore off points and areas with access to deeper water.  Small swimbaits and live minnows were working.  Bluegills have been biting well too on small soft plastics, wax worms, and meal worms. Chatterbaits, jigs, and jerkbaits are working for bass and pickerel

Hamilton & Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

Trout fishing has been good here and some panfish are being caught too.  Powerbait continues to be best.  Corn Yellow, Chartreuse, Garlic, and Salmon Peach have been favorites.  Fish off the bottom with a slip sinker set up.  Wax worms, butterworms, minnows, and a variety of spinners are working too.  

Nessmuk Lake Fishing Report

Panfish (mostly bluegills) are being caught from the dock and along the dam using wax worms, trout magnets, nightcrawlers, and redworms.  Few crappies are being caught and most have been holding out deeper, but within casting range from shore.  Water temps are in the mid 50s.  Bass are also being caught using live shiners, nightcrawlers, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and chatterbaits.  Offshore structures, and the 287 shoreline have been yielding fish.

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, but plenty fishable.  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- 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