The historical range of the fisher extends from approximately 60° north latitude south along the Sierra Nevada Mountains to central California in western North America, and to North Carolina and Tennessee along the Appalachian Mountains in the east (Powell 1993). However, the fisher and other furbearers were almost completely exterminated from the contiguous United States during the late 1800's/early 1900's due to overtrapping and deforestation.
The above map is a representation of the most recent data collected regarding the fishers range. The data was collected and assembled in 2006 by NatureServe.org. The data in this map does not include the recent discovery of fishers in New Jersey.
Below is a map showing the historical range of the fisher from 1600 to present demonstrating the destructive results of the loggers and trappers of the 1800's.
Back to Top
