9/17/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Pine Creek and More

Tackle Shack Quick Take-
Water temps are dropping in the local creeks and trout fishing has good.  Weeds continue to be a key place to find bass on all of the lakes.  Topwater baits are working well in these areas!  

Summer is almost over.  Get out and enjoy it while you can.

Tioga and Hammond Lake Fishing Report-

CV Anglers hosted their annual Bubba Orchowski Memorial bass tournament at Hammond this past Sunday and many nice bass were brought to the scales, including a 5lb 11oz largemouth.  Offshore spots are producing some bites, but the weeds in the no wake zone and along the 287 side have been most productive.  Running buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatter baits around weeds has been effective as bass key in on gizzard shad. When moving baits aren't wacky or rigged senkos and similar worms are working near weeds too.  

Anglers on Tioga are finding a good crappie bite around structures in Mill Cove and in the connecting channel.  Bass are being caught around the dam, and near weeds and timber around mill cove. 

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 9/15/2026 - Last night of bass league

Tioga County Bass Anglers held the Sweely memorial tournament here last Saturday and CV finished up bass league season here this past Tuesday.  Most anglers continue to note a tough bite, and water are still too high to turn on the fall smallie bite. (low to mid 70's).  Cooler weather this week should help. 

The best spots right now seem to be around the dam and along timber in the west end no wake zone.  Nelson falls down to the lake is producing smallmouth too, mostly small ones, and a few muskies.  Multiple muskies were reported from our customers here this week using whopper ploppers and similar topwaters.  

Hills Creek Lake Fishing Report

Bass fishing with live shiners under a bobber has been popular here lately and productive with anglers. Lily pad edges and weed patches are the best place to target.  

Red worms and nightcrawlers are working for sunfish too.

Hamilton Lake Fishing Report

Panfish are being caught near the dam and towards the middle of the lake.  Look for roaming schools throughout the day.  Slow trolling or drifting with live bait and small jigs has been a good way to catch them. 

Hamilton is scheduled to be restocked with trout on October 7th.

Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

We had a few customers headed here this week, but no reports back on the bite.  Like the other lakes though, look for weeds and you'll find bass.  The backside of the lake, and weed beds along the dam are both good spots to start.  Trout will be restocked here in December.

Nessmuk Lake Fishing Report

A few nice bass were caught off the dock using buzzbaits and whopper ploppers.  Live shiners are also working.  For panfish, redworms and mealworms are catching fish from the dock too.  Boaters are having good luck around the weeds near the launch and along the 287 shoreline.

Pine Creek Fishing Report

Pine is at a nice level with a slight tint to it.  Holdover trout are being caught in Upper Pine, particularly between Ansonia and Gaines.  Small stick baits were working, and a bunch of different flies.  Similarly, the local Class A streams are fishing very well with good levels after the recent rains.  Asaph, Straight Run, and Cedar Run have all been good.  

Smallies, rockbass, and a handful of walleyes were caught this week at the spillway.  Live shiners and fatheads were most popular. Some also did well on nightcrawlers.  Action has been a little slower lately, but with cooler temps and rain moving in, this should improve soon.  

Tackle Shack Tip of the Week-

Paul: An Orange stimulator is a solid fly for mimicking the October caddis.  Use it on a dry dropper combo for trout fishing.

Don: Bass fishing on Cowanesque is tough, but we caught a few nice ones this week on creature baits.  My go-to (both here and on the Finger Lakes) is the Rapala CrushCity Bronco Bug.  Flip it around weeds, rocks, and structure, or drag them deeper on a Carolina Rig.