The Fisher, Martes Pennanti, is a fast, rarely seen, tree climbing member of the Mustelid or weasel family.  Other members of this family include the otter, mink, skunk, and pine marten.  Fishers are similar in appearance to the American Marten but they are much larger.

 There is some debate over how the fisher acquired it's name since they do not fish.  Some speculate that fishers may have raided traps baited with fish while others state that perhaps early settlers noticed the fishers resemblance to the European Polecat.  The Polecat also called the Fitch Ferret is very similar in appearance, although smaller, to the Fisher.  The Fisher itself, due to the sometimes striking differences in color and markings between individuals, was mistakenly classified under two separate species by scientists until the late 1800's.

 Fisher's inhabit a specific type of forest habitat and are found only in North America.  Although they are originally thought to have inhabited areas further south they are now limited to northern areas of the United States and a larger range in Canada.  During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the fisher population experienced a major decline in numbers and was almost exterminated in the United States.

 Recently the fisher has been recognized as an important part of a forest areas food chain since it is one of the few predators able to control the porcupine population.  With this in mind, the Pennsylvania Fisher Reintroduction Project was initiated in 1994 as a cooperative venture between Pennsylvania State University and the Game Commission in an attempt to restore the Fisher to a portion of it's previous habitat here in Pennsylvania.

 Starting in 1994, 163 Fishers were released across northern Pennsylvania with an additional 38 animals introduced into the Allegheny National Forest in the winter of 1997.  Current indications are that the program has been a sucess.