Fisher (Pekania pennanti) is in the Mustelids family (Mustelidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,052 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in February.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Fisher: observations by month (U.S.)
About Fisher
The fisher (Pekania pennanti) is a small carnivorous mammal native to North America. It is a member of the mustelid family (commonly referred to as the weasel family) and is in the monospecific genus Pekania. The fisher is closely related to but larger than the American marten (Martes americana). The fisher is a forest-dwelling creature whose range covers much of the boreal forest in Canada to the northern United States. Names derived from aboriginal languages include...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Fisher by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 652 | February | Aug–Jun |
| New York | 583 | March | Feb–Jan |
| Vermont | 529 | February | Dec–Mar |
| Minnesota | 295 | January | Nov–Apr |
| Pennsylvania | 206 | February | Oct–Aug |
| Maine | 170 | January | Oct–Apr |
| New Hampshire | 169 | February | Dec–May |
| California | 101 | October | Sep–Oct |
| Wisconsin | 88 | February | Sep–Mar |
| Michigan | 65 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Rhode Island | 54 | March | Mar–Aug |
| Connecticut | 40 | February | Jan–Mar |
| West Virginia | 31 | February | Feb–Feb |
| Oregon | 26 | February | Feb–Apr |
| Maryland | 24 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Virginia | 5 | January | Jan–Mar |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Mustelids)
North American River Otter
American Mink
American Badger
Long-tailed Weasel
Sea Otter
American Ermine
Pacific Marten
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Fisher?
Nationally, February has the most observations, with the main season from September to June.
Where is Fisher most often seen?
The most observations come from Massachusetts, New York, Vermont.