The fisher (Pekania pennanti) is a large, native mammal belonging to the Mustelidae family (weasels). Once completely eliminated from Pennsylvania’s forests, the species has successfully been re-established. Today, the population is thriving and marks a significant return to the state’s landscape.
Confirmation of Presence and Physical Characteristics
Fishers are present in Pennsylvania, and their population is growing and expanding across the commonwealth. They are the largest terrestrial member of the weasel family in the state, second only to the river otter. Adult males typically weigh between 7 and 15 pounds and measure up to 48 inches long, including the tail. Females are smaller, generally ranging from 4 to 9 pounds.
Physical Characteristics
Fishers have a long, well-furred body, short legs, and a full, bushy tail that makes up about a third of their total length. Their fur is a dark, rich chocolate brown, often appearing nearly black. The back and shoulders often have a grizzled look due to gold and silver guard hairs. Although they rarely eat fish, they are sometimes incorrectly referred to as “fisher cats.”
History of Decline and Successful Re-establishment
The fisher was once widespread across Pennsylvania but became extirpated (locally extinct) by the early 1900s. This decline resulted primarily from unregulated trapping for their valuable fur and massive deforestation. The clearing of vast tracts of old-growth forest destroyed their necessary habitat, leading to the population collapse.
The species began returning through natural expansion from neighboring states that had initiated reintroduction programs. Fishers released in West Virginia (1969) and New York (1979) dispersed into Pennsylvania’s border counties in the 1980s and early 1990s. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) formally began its own reintroduction project in 1994, in partnership with Penn State University.
From 1994 to 1998, 190 fishers were released across six sites in northern Pennsylvania. These animals were sourced from healthy populations in New Hampshire and New York to ensure genetic diversity. This re-establishment program proved highly successful, accelerating the recovery and geographical spread of the species throughout the state.
Current Distribution and Preferred Habitat
The fisher population is well-established and continues to expand throughout the northern, central, and southwestern regions of the state. Core populations are found in large, forested blocks of the Appalachian Plateaus, including the Allegheny National Forest and the Laurel Highlands. The successful reintroduction has led to a broader distribution than originally anticipated.
Fishers were historically associated with large, unbroken tracts of mature forest, but they have proven adaptable. They primarily inhabit mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, especially areas providing abundant overhead cover. They also utilize complex structures on the forest floor, such as downed woody debris. Their adaptability means they are increasingly found in smaller, fragmented rural and suburban woodlots.
Legal Status and Public Interaction
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) manages the fisher population, classifying it as a furbearer rather than a protected species. This classification indicates a healthy, recovered population that can sustain a controlled harvest. A limited trapping season was established by the PGC in 2010, allowing for the regulated take of the animal.
To legally harvest a fisher, an individual must possess a furtaker’s license and a specific fisher trapping permit. The harvest limit is strictly controlled, typically allowing a trapper to take only one fisher per season. Public interaction with fishers is rare since they are naturally elusive. Residents should avoid approaching any wild animal, and any nuisance issues or conflicts should be reported directly to the PGC.