7/2/2026 Tioga County Fishing Report- Hammond Lake, Tioga Lake, Cowanesque Lake, Pine Creek and More

Tioga and Hammond Lake Fishing Report-
Water temps are in the  high 70's to mid 80's with dirtier conditions in the upper end and stained conditions in the main lake.  Bass fishing has been good in the shallows.  Anglers reported a good morning frog bite around the weeds.  Jigs and a variety of soft plastics are working well too.  A wacky rigged or neko rigged senko or similar worm is hard to beat.  PB&J, Green Pumpkin, Junebug, and Watermelon shades have been popular

Some anglers are catching carp and catfish too.  Corn, hellgrammite patterns, and worm patterns are working for carp.  Nightcrawlers and chicken livers are working for catfish.

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 in the low to mid 80's with good clarity on the east end and dirty conditions on the west end.  The weeds are the best we have had in quite a few years this  early.  Tuesday night bass league fished here this week.  A number of 1-2lb bass were caught, as well as a handful of 3lbers.  Anglers did best fishing shallow here too targeting weeds and timber.  Some are also being caught around the dam.  The Yamamoto Uni has been working.  Green pumpkin, watermelon, and baby bass shades have been most popular with these and in the soft plastic worms.  Similarly a blue craw or green pumpkin jig is a good option.  

Hills Creek Lake Fishing Report

WaterTopwater action continues to be good with frogs and poppers both producing nice bass.  Fly anglers found a good panfish bite on the weed edges too.  Black/Orange cicada patterns have been oddly effective on the surface.  

Hamilton Lake Fishing Report

Bluegills, pumpkinseeds, bass, and some pickerel are being caught.  The dam end has fished best from shore. Boaters and kayakers are doing well around the dam, and along the far side of the lake.  With high sun all week, look for areas with a little shade and cover.  Ned rigs, wacky worms, and urchin baits all caught fish this week.  Natural colors and greens have been best.  Mornings have had a good topwater 

Beechwood Lake Fishing Report

Bass, crappies, and perch are all being caught.  Small swimbaits worked well for crappies.  Areas with weeds and lily pads are holding bass and topwater frogs are working well.

Pictured: a Nice crappie from Beechwood on a Keitech swimbait

Nessmuk Lake Fishing Report

Weedbeds are getting thick and access from shore is getting more limited.  Areas around the dock and along the dam are both fishable, while other areas are tough to fish with thick weed growth.  Redworms, waxworms, and nightcrawlers are working for bluegills and sunfish.  Bass are being caught on a variety of soft plastics, swimbaits, chatterbaits, and topwater.  Target weedlines and offshore structure.    Topwater baits in the mornings and evenings are working well.  Try soft plastics and jigs around structure too.

Pine Creek Fishing Report

Pine is very low and very warm.  Trout are packing into the feeder creeks and it's not a good time to target them.  High temps are extremely stressful on the trout.  If you plan to catch and release, consider smallmouth bass fishing instead.  Ned rigs, rebel craws, and small swimbaits are all effective, or try live fatheads and shiners.

Catch our latest fly fishing and hatch report- Pine Creek Fly Fishing & Hatch Report 

Tioga River Fishing Report

Anglers have been fishing the spillway and catching a variety of fish.  Mostly smaller walleyes were reported, along with smallmouth, catfish, and panfish.  Swimbaits, nightcrawlers, fatheads, medium shiners, and soft plastic jerkbaits were among the favorite baits.

Other Notes

Urchin & Dice baits have been HOT sellers lately.  Grab a few and give them a try

Urchins & Dice bait collection

Looking for info on other waters?  We're glad to help!  Give us a call at 570-724-5138 or shoot an email to info@shoptackleshack.com