8/6/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Pine Creek and More

Tioga and Hammond Lake Fishing Report-

Water temps are holding in the mid to upper 70's with varying water clarity ranging from clear to a heavy stain. Anglers noted a tougher bass bite, but crappies were biting well on both lakes.  Live minnows and a variety of jigs were working.  Chartruese and Orange were among popular colors.  Crappie Magnets and the Crappie Magnet Roo both worked well too.  Look for timber and structure.

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

Crappies and bluegills are being caught around downed trees and standing timber too.

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

Pictured: Luke from Tackle Shack with a nice whopper plopper Largemouth. "One of the best plopper bites I've seen this season"

Bass are being caught around the weeds on both ends of the lake.  Topwater fishing has been good in the evenings. Whopper Ploppers and buzzbaits are both working. 

Plenty of bluegills are being caught from shore using red worms and nightcrawlers.  Similarly, bullheads have been biting well into the night.  Worms and hotdogs have been good baits.

Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

Anglers noted a tough bass bite this week, and a handful of pickerel.  Finesse soft plastics produced best around the shorelines.  Boaters faired better fishing deeper weedlines and lily pads.  Some fish were caught on frogs and buzzbaits.

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 and has warmed up considerably since last week.  With temps expected to be in the low to mid 80's all week, it will continue to be too warm for trout fishing.  Cooler weather is expected next week. Smallmouth are being caught in upper Pine and down through the canyon on small whopper ploppers, Rooster tails, and ned rigs.

Catfish are being caught at the spillway using hotdogs, live shiners, and nightcrawlers.  Smallmouth and some panfish are being caught on live minnows, and swimbaits.

Tackle Shack Tip of the Week-

High sun during the middle of the day can push fish deep into structure and weeds.  Look for pockets and target edges.  As the sun goes down, these fish come out hunting and the top water bite can be excellent!