(12-22-25) Yes, fishers (often mistakenly called “fisher cats”) are making a gradual comeback in Ohio after being extirpated from the state in the mid-1800s due to habitat loss and unregulated trapping.

Officials confirm first fisher in an Ohio county since the 1800s

Key Facts About Fishers

Fishers are medium-sized members of the weasel family (Martes pennanti or Pekania pennanti), related to minks, otters, and martens. They are not cats and do not primarily eat fish—their name likely comes from an old term for European polecats. They have dark brown fur, long bushy tails, and are agile climbers that hunt small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, and rodents in forested areas.

Recent Developments

Wildlife officials confirmed that a fisher was captured on a trail camera in Cuyahoga County — marking the first confirmed sighting in that area since the 1800s.  The footage was shared by Cleveland Metroparks, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) verified the identification.  

History of Return

The first modern sighting in Ohio was in 2013. Since then, ODNR has confirmed over 50 sightings, mostly in northeast counties like Ashtabula, Geauga, Trumbull, and Portage. Evidence of reproduction (e.g., a pregnant female found in 2023) suggests they are naturally colonizing the state, aided by reintroduction programs in neighboring Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

This return highlights broader wildlife recoveries in Ohio, including river otters, bobcats, and bald eagles, thanks to habitat protection and regulated hunting. If you spot one, report it to ODNR via their website or app to help track the population.

Story use of AI used in this posting