Hammond Lake Fishing
A 640-acre Pennsylvania reservoir in Tioga County.
Pick for channel catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of Pine Creek: Nicholas A. Tonelli, CC BY 2.0
Getting to know Hammond Lake
Hammond Lake spans 640 acres according to PFBC, located in Tioga County. Its land and shoreline belong to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Tioga lies roughly 2 miles from the PFBC point. Downstream, it drains into Crooked Creek. PFBC region: Northcentral.
Fish on the PFBC roster: channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass hybrid and yellow perch. 2 access areas with ramps serve boats. PFBC picks it as a Best Fishing Water.
PFBC Lakes_Point layer (acres from NHD), Census places, retrieved October 23, 2026.
For the channel catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Gamefish of Hammond Lake
Linked chips open the Pennsylvania species page for each fish listed at Hammond Lake.
PFBC WWCW species listing by water and PFBC stocking schedules, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Boat access around Hammond Lake
- Campers Launchpaved ramp, parking 10 spaces or more, dock, fishing pier, unlimited horsepower, fee; owner COE
- Ives Run Accesspaved ramp, parking 10 spaces or more, dock, fishing pier, unlimited horsepower, fee; owner COE
Launch points around Hammond Lake
- Lambs Creek AccessTioga Reservoir, 4 miles southeast
- Hills Creek Lake Access near Mansfield (PFBC access 523)Hills Creek Lake, 6 miles south
- South Shore Access on Cowanesque LakeCowanesque Lake, 6 miles north
- Tompkins Campground AccessCowanesque Lake, 6 miles north
- Hills Creek Lake Access near Mansfield (PFBC access 522)Hills Creek Lake, 6 miles south
- Hamilton Lake AccessHamilton Lake, 12 miles south
PFBC access areas layer (ramps and fishing-only sites), retrieved October 23, 2026.
Reservoir level at Hammond Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Hammond Lake At Hammond Dam At Tioga, Pa | 1,086.10 ft lake elevation | Oct 25 9:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 25, 2026 9:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District (CWMS) reading for Hammond Lake (local gauge datum), recorded October 23, 2026; retrieved October 23, 2026. Values are provisional.
Keeping fish from Hammond Lake
| Species | Creel and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30) | 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches | June 13 through Sept. 30 |
| Bass (Jan. 1 to April 10, Oct. 1 to Dec. 31) | 4 (combined species); minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through April 10 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 |
| Bass (April 11 to June 12) | NO HARVEST – catch and immediate release only (no tournaments permitted) | April 11 through June 12 (no harvest begins 12:01 a.m.) |
| Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge | 1 (combined species); minimum 40 inches | Open year-round |
| Northern pike | 2; minimum 24 inches | Open year-round |
| Chain pickerel | 4; minimum 18 inches | Open year-round |
| Walleye and saugeye | 6; minimum 15 inches | Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 2 through Dec. 31 |
| Sunfish, crappie and other panfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Catfish | 50 (combined species) | Open year-round |
| Striped bass and hybrids | 2 (combined species); minimum 20 inches | Open year-round |
| American shad | 3 | Open year-round |
The table repeats the statewide inland limits that govern Hammond Lake.
2026 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary (PFBC), pp. 10-17, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Stocking schedule for Hammond Lake
PFBC schedules 1 stocking visits to Hammond Lake in 2026, most often walleye; the Commission prints dates and meeting places, not fish counts.
| Date | Species | Program | Section | Meeting place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Walleye (fingerling) | warmwater/coolwater |
PFBC Adult Trout Stocking Schedule, Fingerling Trout Schedule and Warmwater/Coolwater stockings (2026), retrieved October 23, 2026. Pennsylvania stocking.
State record fish from Hammond Lake
| Species | Weight | Angler | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie | 4 lb. 3 oz. | Richard A. Pino | 2000 |
PFBC State Record Fish page, retrieved October 23, 2026. All Pennsylvania records.
PFBC biologist reports on Hammond Lake
- 2024 Spring Trap Net and Gill Net Survey2024
- 2021 Black Bass Survey2021
- 2013 Sportfish Population Survey2013
- May 22, 20082008
PFBC Biologist Report Listing layer, retrieved October 23, 2026; older reports are history, not a current survey.
Lakes near Hammond Lake compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Species | Stocked trout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond Lake | 640 | 2 | 7 | ||
| Tioga Reservoir | 2 miles east | 470 | 1 | 5 | |
| Hills Creek Lake | 6 miles south | 136 | 2 | 5 | |
| Cowanesque Lake | 6 miles north | 1,090 | 2 | 4 | |
| Hamilton Lake | 12 miles southwest | 42 | 1 | 4 | yes |
| Lake Nessmuk | 13 miles southwest | 60 | 1 | 5 |
PFBC Lakes_Point, access areas and species listings, retrieved October 23, 2026.
Within reach of Hammond Lake
Still water worth the drive from Hammond Lake
- Tioga Reservoir2 miles east
- Hills Creek Lake6 miles south
- Cowanesque Lake6 miles north
- Hamilton Lake12 miles southwest
- Lake Nessmuk13 miles southwest
Tackle counters within reach of Hammond Lake
- Tackle Shackbait and tackle shop, Wellsboro, 10 miles
- Ram Archery Incbait and tackle shop, Westfield, 18 miles
Charter and guide options at Hammond Lake
- Northern Tier Angling Companyfishing guide, Wellsboro, (607) 738-1755
- Tackle Shackfishing guide, Wellsboro, (570) 724-5138
Lodging bases for Hammond Lake
- Mansfield8 miles
- Elkland10 miles
- Wellsboro12 miles
County guides along Hammond Lake
- Tioga Countyseat: Wellsboro
Reels and a scale grip for a Hammond Lake outing
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Species of Hammond Lake in photographs
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Planning a Hammond Lake trip: the questions
How do I find Hammond Lake on a Pennsylvania map?
PFBC places it in Tioga County, PFBC Northcentral Region, about 2 miles from Tioga.
How much surface does Hammond Lake cover on the PFBC list?
640 acres, by the PFBC lake layer.
Where is the boat launch at Hammond Lake?
2 ramp access areas, including Campers Launch.
Which fish has PFBC listed at Hammond Lake?
On the PFBC roster: channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass hybrid, yellow perch and walleye.
What may I keep from Hammond Lake?
Bass (June 13 to Sept. 30): 6 (combined species); minimum 12 inches; June 13 through Sept. 30.
Is a Pennsylvania license required at Hammond Lake?
Anyone 16 or older needs a Pennsylvania fishing license: $27.97 for residents, $60.97 for nonresidents and $14.47 for resident seniors, fees included.
Which hatchery fish does PFBC send to Hammond Lake?
Yes, 1 times in 2026 (first: 2026).
Where do Hammond Lake anglers buy worms?
Tackle Shack, about 10 miles away.
What is the pool level at Hammond Lake?
See USGS and the Corps of Engineers in the level band.
Is Hammond Lake in the record book?
Crappie, 4 lb. 3 oz., by Richard A. Pino in 2000.
Mark Hammond Lake on the calendar
License fees, permits and every Summary table sit on the license page.