northern river otter

LC - Least Concern

N5 - Secure

SNR - Unranked

not listed

The pelage (fur) is dark brown above. a little lighter below, with a white a grayish or silvery throat.

Total length: 35″ to 48″

Head and body: 26″ to 30″

Tail: 12″ to 17″

Mostly lakes, streams, and ponds, but also swamps and marshes.

8 to 9 years

Sources

7, 15, 24, 29, 30, 76.

Common

This species was originally named Lutra canadensis. In 1972, New World otters were separated into the genus Lontra.

Observed at Fort Snelling State Park.

Location: Wright County

Had heard from neighbors there were otters in this lake system.

Finally saw them in October 2023. The video is too large to send and we didn’t get photos.

Thanks!

Location: Plymouth MN

I saw the otter near a pond behind my house.

Location: the pond behind my home in Shoreview

one was sighted, swimming in the pond

Location: Ottertail, MN

Three river otters swimming together in a small lake near the town of Ottertail.  They were doing a lot of diving but never saw them with a fish, so not sure if they were playing or hunting for fish.  I believe they left the lake, ran across the road to another small lake and lost track of them.  We have lived here for over 20 years and have only seen an otter two other times over the years.  Was fun to watch them.

Location: Minnetonka

An otter lives in the creek behind our house.  We see him/her swim quickly toward the den in the evening.

Location: Stearns County

I was driving with two friends to a knitting gathering near Luxembourg, MN, when we all saw what looked like 4 otters or fishers standing beside the road having a conference about topics unknown. They quickly ran into the south ditch as we approached.  There was a \swampy area on the north side of the road. County 137 between County 6 and 47, south of Hwy. 94.

Are either of these animals in this area?  We did not get any pictures.

Fishers prefer dense, continuous forests with large trees. They have not been recorded in Stearns County, but they have been seen in neighboring Benton County. Though the animals you saw could be either, it is more likely that they were northern river otters.

Location: Golden Valley by Theodore Worth Park

Location: 3rd Ave N & Ranchview Ln. N, Plymouth, MN

one came running throw back yard toward a small pond, was nice to see.

Location: Moorhead, MN rendition pond

Location: Crane Park refuge (Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge) by Little Falls MN.

there was a pair of them

Location: Edina

The otter ran across 70th St heading south. This was East of 100 and West of France.

Location: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Long Meadow Lake Unit

About 5 or 6 were sitting on a log about 15 yards into the flooded area at the beginning of the Long Meadow Lake Trail, just below the Visitors’ Center.  I barely had time to notice them before they slid into the water and swam away, so I couldn’t get a photo

Location: Big Lake Township

I was out walking the dog and saw it run thru the yard. The dog took after it and chased it into the tall grass around the swamp in our backyard. We live a couple of hundred yards off the Mississippi River. I couldn’t believe my eyes, Pretty awesome!

Location: Washington County, MN (55082). Just south of co. Road 12, on Jamaca Avenue.

It was Huge! Nice to see. Did not think there were any in our area.

Location: Plymouth/Minnetonka

crossing Hopkins crossroads during afternoon  rush hour

Location: Observed at Fort Snelling State Park.