fisher

The fur (pelage) is dark brown to nearly black with white-tipped hairs over the head and shoulders giving it a frosted appearance.

Total length: 29″ to 47″

Head and body: 20″ to 25″

Tail: 13″ to 15″

Deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests with low or closed canopies

10 years

Sources

4, 24, 29, 30, 76.

The only sighting in Wabasha County (light green on map) is sourced from GBIF. However, iNaturalist sightings are often obscured, with dots appearing randomly near the actual location, sometimes in adjacent counties. GBIF utilizes these iNaturalist sightings, thereby inheriting the same dot locations, which can lead to errors in their maps, as seen in this case.

Subfamily
Recent DNA studies have suggested that the traditional arrangement of family Mustelidae into two subfamilies based on morphological differences is invalid. Under this arrangement, the subfamily Mustelinae is polyphyletic (derived from more than one evolutionary ancestor.) Two molecular phylogenetic analyses in Sato et al (2004) and Koepfli et al (2008) suggest separating the family into eight subfamilies. Under their scheme, martens are placed in the subfamily Martinae. This suggestion has not been widely adopted.

Species
The same study also strongly suggests that the fisher should be placed in its own genus Pekania. This suggestion has been widely but not universally adopted. Fisher was formerly classified as Martes pennanti. It was reclassified as Pekania pennanti, and is now the only species in that genus.

Some authorities recognize three subspecies. Others consider the species monotypic (having only one immediately subordinate taxon.)

Best of 6 trail cam pics captured over 3 week span.

Fisher Sighting on Trail Cam - Possibly

This is not a cat and the previous two cam images showed a dark blur as this animal leapt a couple times and then sat where the trail cam photographed it. After researching possibilities (marten, weasel, cat), the most likely animal that this appears to be is a Fisher. The size, body shape, and thick tail are not like any other animal.

A search of the Minnesota DNR website and other Minnesota sites shows that they have been seen in Houston county.

Trail Cam

Caught on trail cam

"Fisher photos".... An interesting animal larger than a mink....

It seemed curious about me and only got anxious when it wanted to come down out of the tree. I was below and it got a little nervous and started making these little chuckling sounds so I backed away and it came down the back of the tree peeking around keeping an eye on me and then scampered off away into the woods. I did not seem threatening at all.

Fisher
NYS Zoo

Fishers 14 Sept 2015
Rob Fowler

A "Fisher" in a tree.
Published on Jan 16, 2015

Fisher (Pekania pennanti)
WildlandsTrust

Fisher "Pekania pennanti"
zeekyblast

IMG 0171
Stan Rullman

Fishers (Pekania pennanti) 14 Sept 2015
Rob Fowler

Fisher at bait
Dave Bonta

Dave Dosh
4/2/2024

Location: Sherburne County

Best of 6 trail cam pics captured over 3 week span.

Location: Houston County, about 2 miles north of Money Creek, west of Hwy 76.

This is not a cat and the previous two cam images showed a dark blur as this animal leapt a couple times and then sat where the trail cam photographed it. After researching possibilities (marten, weasel, cat), the most likely animal that this appears to be is a Fisher. The size, body shape, and thick tail are not like any other animal.

A search of the Minnesota DNR website and other Minnesota sites shows that they have been seen in Houston county.

Location: Carver County / Hollywood Township

I had one run across our farm's orchard in broad daylight. Seemed to be heading toward a nearby marshy area.

Location: Ogilvie, MN

Trail Cam

Location: Twin Valley

I seen one run right through my front yard at about 7 AM. I live about a mile north of the Dam in Twin Valley. It was very plump and running towards the turkey farm. I noticed that I don't have rabbits running all over the place anymore like I used to have. And there was a porcupine spotted in my tree last fall and I sure hope he got it. I also noticed that I did not have one mouse in my house this year or my Barn Bldg. and I didn't put out any Poison only traps and only caught one mouse in a trap last fall. And it seems the squirrels all disappeared also, which is a good thing because they were getting out of hand. I don't have any pets but lots of deer hang out in my yard and wild turkeys were hanging out here last fall but maybe the Fisher had a good Thanksgiving...he looked really fat. I will try to get a picture of him tomorrow morning if he comes back. 

Location: Homer Valley, Winona County

Caught on trail cam

Location: I filmed and photographed this fisher a few years or so back in the woods along the Wild Rice River in Norman Co. Mn. They do exist there today as I have seen tracks in the snow and occasional glimpse near a water hole in the woods in summer since.

It seemed curious about me and only got anxious when it wanted to come down out of the tree. I was below and it got a

little nervous and started making these little chuckling sounds so I backed away and it came down the back of the tree peeking around keeping an eye on me and then scampered off away into the woods. I did not seem threatening at all.  

Location: East of Miltona MN, south of Rose City. This is the approximate intersection: County 68 and Willow Road

Trail camera Photo.