7/24/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Pine Creek and More

Tioga and Hammond Lake Fishing Report-
Water temps are all over the place with temps in the low to mid 60's in the creeks and upper end, and pushing 80 closer to the dam.  Crappies are mostly offshore and holding tight to structure.  Look for cribs and plank structures in 8-15 feet of water. 

Bass fishing has been good overall and most are being caught up shallow.  Weeds, dam rip rap, and shallow structure are holding fish.  The upper end of the lake is still dirty and clears down the lake.

Tuesday night bass league fished here this week with a number of 1-2 lb fish weighed in and a few nicer fish.  Lunker was 4lbs 11oz

The Tackle Shack 3 day 3 Lake bass tournament is going on this weekend.  Day 1 is at Hammond, Day 2 is at Tioga.  Results will be posted in our 'news' section and on our facebook page.  Weigh ins at 2PM

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

Similar to hammond, the upper end of the lake is quite dirty still and clears doing down the lake.  Temps range from about 70-80 and bass are being caught in a number of areas.  Shallow weeds and timber seem to be fishing best.  Tioga County Bass Anglers fished here Sunday with a winning bag of over 20 lbs. 

The Tackle Shack 3 day 3 Lake bass tournament finishes here on Sunday. Weigh in at 2PM

A few muskies were caught this week, mostly on bass baits.  Anglers targeting them with live suckers also caught a few.

Hills Creek Lake Fishing Report

The topwater bite has slowed some, but plenty are still being caught on topwater frogs and similar hollow body baits.  Fishing the weed and lily pad edges with senkos, jigs, and neko rigged plastics has been more productive.  

A few anglers noted good catches of perch and bluegills with nightcrawlers and mealworms.

Hamilton Lake Fishing Report

Bass are being caught around the weeds on both ends of the lake.  Topwater fishing has been good in the evenings.  Plenty of bluegills are being caught from shore using red worms and nightcrawlers.

Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

Wacky rigged senkos, and texas rigged creature baits around the weeds and dam  produced some bass.  Frog fishing around the lily pads and weeds is also producing. Don't be afaid to cast deep into the lily pads.  Some bass are holding very shallow near shorelines as well as closer to the edges and pockets.    

Nessmuk Lake Fishing Report

Bluegills and sunfish are being caught from the dock with nightcrawlers and small soft plastics.  A few bass are being caught here too.  Better fishing has been around the dam and offshore on submerged structure or deeper weeds.  

Pine Creek Fishing Report

Pine is low, but cool nights have helped temps drop to more favorable levels.  Some trout were caught using meal worms, butter worms, stickbaits, and small spinners.  Natural colors have been best.  Fly anglers are doing best with streamers or nymphs in deeper pockets of holding water.

The smallmouth bite was good this week with live shiners, swimbaits, and curly tail grubs working best.  Ned rigged crayfish also worked well.

Lyman Run Lake Fishing Report - Potter County

Pictured: Crappie at Lyman Run on A Pautzke Fire Ned

Lyman Run is fishing well with anglers catching quite a few bass and panfish.  Small crappies and decent sized bluegills are being caught around the beach and dam using small soft plastics.  Biting black flies were around in numbers this week.  Be prepared with bug spray and long sleeved clothing.