It’s not every day we see an elusive endangered animal, but the Cleveland Museum of Natural History managed to capture one fisherman on camera.
The caption details: “For the first time since the 1800s, trail cameras have spotted sightings of fishermen in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, according to Cleveland Metroparks. Park officials called the discovery ‘very exciting.'”
Although the fisherman is endangered, it is still common in other parts of its range, and many commenters have said they have seen the animal before. But many viewers have never heard of the beast. The poster aptly compares it to wolverines, prairie dogs, or “upstate New York honey badgers” (as @_Sauce11 puts it). Those familiar with the little guy explained his reputation, “Looks like a ferret, only bigger and meaner,” commented @daddude. “This is not a tame animal, friends, please don’t try to pet it. It will attack you and aim for your neck,” @slo.acc0rd added. Others have mentioned his screams, although this may be a myth.
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What is a fisherman?
If you’ve never heard of a fisherman (sometimes called a fishing cat), you’re not alone. (They are not related to cats at all and are actually part of the weasel family, although you can see one making the mistake of doing so in the dark.) Native to North America, they have a fairly limited range and are now endangered due to overhunting and habitat loss. Fishermen love the forest and mostly go out to sea at night, so it is difficult for even fishermen in rural areas to see the forest.
Part of the reason for the fishermen’s reputation for toughness is their diet, which includes porcupines and rabbits, animals that can weigh more than 12 pounds. Those who have this creature in the area should be careful not to let cats and puppies out as they may become food for fishermen.
Luckily for us, with this trail camera video, we were able to see a real fisherman in his hometown.
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This article was originally published by PetHelpful on December 20, 2025 and first appeared in the Pet News section. Click here to add PetHelpful as your preferred source.
