The
fisher (
Martes pennanti) is a small carnivorous mammal native to
North America. It is a member of the
mustelid family (commonly referred to as the
weasel family) and a part of the
marten genus. The fisher is closely related to but larger than the
American marten (
Martes americana). The fisher is a forest-dwelling creature whose range covers much of the
boreal forest in
Canada to the northern United States. Names derived from
aboriginal languages include
pekan,
pequam,
wejack, and
woolang. It is also sometimes referred to as a
fisher cat, although it is not a
feline.