8/13/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Pine Creek and More

Tioga and Hammond Lake Fishing Report-

Pictured: Green Sunfish are an aggressive and fun catch around the dam and any rocks on Hammond or Tioga.

Water temps are holding in the mid to upper 70's with varying water clarity ranging from clear to a heavy stain.  Shad schools are everywhere and a lot of fish are offshore chasing them.  Trolling or casting with crankbaits has been effective for crappies and bass.  Some catfish were caught too on live shiners and fatheads.  Target weeds and timber for bass up shallow.  Keep a topwater on hand, and look for roamers busting shad schools on the surface.

8/12/2026 Quick trip to Hammond - Water temps in the high 70's.

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 are holding in the mid to upper 70's with varying water clarity ranging from very clear to milky to heavy stain.  Dirtier in the west end.  Bass fishing continues to be challenging for most anglers.  Target weeds and structure for best results.  The Tuesday night bass league fished here with a top bag over 11 lbs (3 fish) with a 5lb lunker.

Muskies are being caught at the falls and spillway, and around weedbeds on the west end.  This should pick up more as water temps cool off later this month.

Hills Creek Lake Fishing Report

Frogs are still working, but subsurface has been much better lately.  The Yamamoto Fuzzy Nut was popular here lately, fished neko style around the lilys.  Jigs and creature baits around stumps and lily pad edges are also producing nice bass as well as pickerel

Bluegills are being caught on 1-2" mister twisters, trout magnets, redworms, and meal worms.  Some crappies and perch were mixed in and targeting deeper weed lines has been best.

Hamilton Lake Fishing Report

Topwater fishing continues to be god here with buzzbaits, whopper ploppers, and frogs all catching bass and a few pickerel.  Live minnows, trout magnets, and red worms were all working for panfish.  Crappies and perch are mostly out deeper.  Bluegills and sunfish are holding inshore around weeds and the dam

Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

Anglers noted a tough bass bite this week.  Live shiners and fatheads both worked for bass, bullheads, and some panfish.  Fly fishing with foam ants and poppers has been good for bluegills and the occasional bass too.

Nessmuk Lake Fishing Report

Live shiners and fatheads were popular here this week for bass and some crappies.  Bluegills and sunfish continue to bite well off the dock.   Trout magnets work excellent for them! 

Pine Creek Fishing Report

Pine is near normal summer flows.  Smallmouth are being caught in upper Pine and down through the canyon on crayfish imitations, Rooster tails, and small stickbaits.  Redfin minnow lures are a popular choice to mimic the black nose dace.

Smallmouth are being caught on live shiners, ned rigs, and small swimbaits throughout much of the river.  Some catfish and bullheads were also reported.

Tackle Shack Tip of the Week-

The morning bite has been sluggish lately with cool weather and storm fronts moving through.  Evenings have fished better, particularly on the Corps lakes.  Always keep a topwater close by in case bass or other gamefish start blowing up on shad schools.