Fisher cats are present in Connecticut, having made a significant return to the state’s woodlands after a period of absence. These mammals, correctly known as fishers, are now re-established as a native species. While sometimes called “fisher cats,” they are not felines and rarely consume fish.
Fisher Cat Presence in Connecticut
Fishers were once common in Connecticut, but their populations declined sharply in the 19th century due to extensive forest logging, agricultural expansion, and unregulated trapping for their valuable fur. By the early 1900s, fishers were considered extirpated, meaning locally extinct, from the state. As Connecticut’s farmlands reverted to wooded areas, suitable habitat began to return, allowing a natural recolonization of fishers into the northeastern part of the state from neighboring populations.
To aid their return, the Connecticut Wildlife Division initiated a reintroduction project in 1988, releasing fishers sourced from New Hampshire and Vermont into northwestern Connecticut. This “soft release” contributed to high survival rates and successful reproduction. As a result of both natural expansion and reintroduction efforts, a viable, self-sustaining fisher population is now established throughout Connecticut. Fishers prefer large tracts of coniferous or mixed hardwood-softwood forests, but they can also be found in wooded residential areas.
Identifying Fisher Cats
Fishers are medium-sized members of the weasel family, characterized by their long, slender bodies and short legs. Males are larger than females, typically weighing 8 to 14 pounds and measuring 36 to 40 inches in length, while females weigh 4 to 6 pounds and are 30 to 36 inches long. Their fur ranges from deep brown to black, and may have hoary-gold or silver guard hairs around the face and shoulders. Some individuals also display random white or cream-colored patches on their chest or underside.
Their tails are long and bushy, and their claws are semi-retractable, aiding their climbing abilities. Fishers have five toes on each foot, though the fifth toe may not always be visible in their tracks. Their tracks often show a distinct C-shaped metacarpal pad. While often attributed to fishers, the loud, high-pitched “screams” sometimes heard at night are more commonly made by red foxes. Fishers are generally quiet animals.
Living Alongside Fisher Cats
Fishers are primarily carnivorous, and their diet includes small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, mice, and voles, as well as birds, frogs, and carrion. They are notably adept at hunting porcupines, a skill few other predators possess. While they are proficient climbers, fishers spend most of their time foraging on the forest floor.
Fishers are solitary creatures and avoid human contact, being nocturnal or most active at dawn and dusk. To coexist with fishers, residents can secure potential food sources and shelter. Elevating chicken coops and covering all openings with sturdy hardware cloth (not chicken wire) can prevent entry, as fishers can chew through weaker materials and squeeze through small gaps. Removing brush piles and other decaying organic material near homes can discourage them from denning. Supervising pets, especially smaller ones, when outdoors is recommended, as fishers may view them as prey, though coyotes are often a greater concern in this regard.