7/16/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Pine Creek and More

This area, like much of the region, is currently experiencing the heavy smoke of the Canadian wildfires.  Conditions are expected to improve tomorrow.  Give us a call if you have air quality concerns through the weekend.

Tioga and Hammond Lake Fishing Report-
Water temps are in the  high 70's to mid 80's with dirty, but clearing conditions on the upper ends.  The main lake is stained, but fairly clear.  Bass are being caught mostly up shallow and a variety of jigs and plastics are working.  Some bass are being caught on topwater too, particularly in the no wake area.  Chatterbaits in weedy areas have produced some fish too.  White/shad patterns tend to be best to mimic the gizzard shad forage base.

Trollers found crappies suspended off shore and hanging near structure.  Jigging with live minnows also worked well.  Lots of bluegills are being caught around structure and weeds too.

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

Pictured: A nice smallmouth caught on a Hag's Prickly Pear Jr at Cowanesque

Water temps are in the low 80's with dirty conditions on the west end, clearing down the lake. Towards the dam, the water is fairly clear with good visibility.  Tuesday night league fished here this past week with mixed reports. Some nice 2-3 lb bass were weighed in.  Anglers caught them mostly shallow near timber and weeds.  Some fish are being caught on the dam.

Nelson falls has been fairly dirty still, but the spillway and cowanesque river are running at normal conditions.

Fallen trees in the west end are holding decent numbers of crappies.  Bluegills have been active in shore near weed beds and in the backs of the coves.  

Hills Creek Lake Fishing Report

Bass fishing has been steady here with topwater frogs and buzzbaits continually producing.  Fishing the weed and lily pad edges with senkos, jigs, and neko rigged plastics is also yielding fish.  

A few anglers noted good catches of perch and bluegills drifting nightcrawlers on the bottom.

Hamilton Lake Fishing Report

Bluegills, pumpkinseeds, bass, and some bullheads are being caught.  The dam end has fished best from shore.  

Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

Tough fishing this week for some and anglers noted the evening bite to be best.  Topwater is producing nice bass and pickerel.  Panfish are being caught on redworms and nightcrawlers.  Wacky rigged senkos around the weeds and dam also produced some bass.  

Nessmuk Lake Fishing Report

Bass fishing has been good with topwater frogs and similar around the weedbeds, though most noted the larger fish are being caught offshore on artificial structure.  Look for porcupine cribs and spider humps.  

Pine Creek Fishing Report

Pine is at decent levels and has cleared up, but temperatures remain elevated and it a good time to target smallmouth or hit one of the local lakes.  

Few reports from the river this week, though clarity has improved since last week.