The fisher (Pekania pennanti) is a carnivorous mammal native to North America, inhabiting the boreal forests from Canada to the northern United States. A member of the mustelid family and the only species in its genus, the fisher is sometimes mistakenly called a “fisher cat,” though it is not a cat.
Closely related to the American marten (Martes americana) and Pacific marten (Martes caurina), the fisher is notably larger than these species. It is known by several names in various regions, including “pekan,” derived from the Abenaki language, and “wejack,” an Algonquian term. Other Native American names include Chipewyan thacho and Carrier chunihcho, both meaning “big marten,” and Wabanaki uskool.
Male fishers are generally up to twice the size of females. Their fur changes with the seasons: denser and glossier in winter, and more mottled during the summer moult. Fisher fur is often used for dubbing in fly tying, blending well with other natural materials.
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