Fisher
(Pekania pennanti)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure SNR - Unranked |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description
The fur (pelage) is dark brown to nearly black with white-tipped hairs over the head and shoulders giving it a frosted appearance.
Size
Total length: 29″ to 47″
Head and body: 20″ to 25″
Tail: 13″ to 15″
Sign
Similar Species
Habitat
Deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests with low or closed canopies
Ecology
Behavior
Lifespan
10 years
Life Cycle
Food
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 12/12/2025). Timm, R. M. 1975. Distribution, natural history, and parasites of mammals of Cook County, Minnesota. Occasional Papers, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota 14:1–56. Hazard, Evan B. 1982. The Mammals of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 280 pp. The counties in light green lack modern records but have historic county or township specimens or records. |
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| 12/12/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Taxonomy
Class
Subclass
Theria
Infraclass
Placentalia (Placental Mammals)
Magnorder
Boreoeutheria
Superorder
Laurasiatheria (Ungulates, Carnivorans, and Allies)
Order
Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Suborder
Caniformia (Dog-like Carnivores)
Infraorder
Arctoidea
Parvorder
Mustelida
Family
Mustelidae (Mustelids)
Subfamily
Guloninae (Wolverines, Martens, and Tayras)
Genus
Pekania (Fishers)
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.
Subordinate Taxa
Some authorities recognize three subspecies, while others recognize none.
British Columbia fisher (Pekania pennanti ssp. columbiana)
fisher (Pekania pennanti ssp. pennanti) 
Pacific fisher (Pekania pennanti ssp. pacifica)
Synonyms
Martes pennanti
Common Names
fisher
Glossary
Pelage
The coat of a mammal, consisting of fur, wool, or hair, and including a soft undercoat and stiff guard hairs.
Visitor Photos
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Dave Dosh |
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Best of 6 trail cam pics captured over 3 week span. |
Pat Brice
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.
Christa Schwen |
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Trail Cam |
Alisa Hornberg |
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Caught on trail cam |
Dan W. Andree |
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"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. |
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Jamie Waltzing |
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Trail camera Photo. |
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
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Slideshows
Fisher
NYS Zoo
Fishers 14 Sept 2015
Rob Fowler
Visitor Videos
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Dan W. Andree
A "Fisher" in a tree.
Published on Jan 16, 2015
Other Videos
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
Visitor Sightings
Report a sighting of this mammal.
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Be sure to include a location.
Dave Dosh
4/2/2024
Location: Sherburne County
Best of 6 trail cam pics captured over 3 week span.
Christa Schwen
5/3/2023
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.
Tim Kirkman
4/6/2021
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.
Christa Schwen
4/19/2020
Location: Ogilvie, MN
Trail Cam
Joy Kemple
4/7/2020
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.
Alisa Hornberg
9/24/2019
Location: Homer Valley, Winona County
Caught on trail cam
Dan W. Andree
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.
Jamie Waltzing
8/1/2017
7:25 AM
Location: East of Miltona MN, south of Rose City. This is the approximate intersection: County 68 and Willow Road
Trail camera Photo.
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
