For the first time in more than a century, a fisher has been confirmed in Iowa. Caught on a trail camera in Allamakee County, this elusive carnivore shocked wildlife officials and locals alike. Fishers are weasel-like mammals about the size of a house cat, known for their solitary behavior, agility in trees, and tendency to avoid humans altogether.
This marks a major ecological milestone. Fishers were once native to Iowa, but by the late 1800s, habitat loss and unregulated trapping wiped them out across the state. Their return, captured in crisp footage, shows how nature is quietly reclaiming lost ground when conditions improve.
What Exactly Is a Fisher?
Not to be confused with anything aquatic, a fisher (Pekania pennanti) is part of the mustelid family—relatives of minks, otters, and wolverines. They are fierce predators despite their small size, known for:
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- Weighing between 2.5–6 kg (5–13 lb)
- Climbing trees to chase prey like…