Fisher and Otter

Season Dates

Fisher

• All Zones: Oct. 17, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027

Otter

• North Zone: Nov. 7, 2026 – April 30, 2027
• South Zone: Nov. 7, 2026 – March 31, 2027

Federal Lands: On federal lands within the Mississippi River Zone, the otter season does not open until the muskrat and mink seasons open. Federal rules do not allow trapping on federal refuge lands after March 15.

Zone Map

Bobcat, fisher and otter use the same management zone map. Check out the Management Zone Map for Bobcat, Fisher and Otter. There are two zones for these species, a northern zone (north of highway 64) and a southern zone (south of highway 64). 

Note: If the annual harvest quota for bobcat, fisher or river otter is reached before the respective season end date, the season may close early. It is the hunter or trapper’s responsibility to determine the status of a bobcat, fisher or river otter season prior to attempting to hunt or trap in a particular zone. Call the hotline at 855-299-9653 for harvest number updates. Information on early season closures or trapping in general can be found on DNR's Trapping webpage.

Bag Limits

Fisher

Special zones only by permit(s).

Season Limit: one fisher per harvest authorization.

Otter

One otter per harvest authorization. Harvest authorizations are valid statewide.

Application and License Requirements

Fisher

What you need to trap a fisher:

• Fisher application
• A current and valid trapping authorization
• A valid, unused fisher harvest authorization

Otter

What you need to trap an otter:

• A current and valid trapping authorization
• A valid, unused otter harvest authorization

Registration

Fisher

Harvested fisher must be registered via GameReg by 5 p.m. the day following recovery. Register online at gamereg.wi.gov (fastest and easiest method) or by phone at 844-426-3734 (844-GAME-REG). Be prepared to indicate which game management unit (pages 14-15) the animal was harvested in. Following registration of a fisher via GameReg, all registration requirements are complete.

Sample Collection

The department will collect the lower jaw from a subset of harvested fisher. Those trappers randomly selected to provide a jaw sample will be contacted via mail and provided a sample kit prior to the season.

Otter

• Harvested river otter must be registered via GameReg by 5 p.m. the day following recovery. Register online at gamereg.wi.gov (fastest and easiest method) or by phone at 844-426-3734 (844-GAME-REG). Be prepared to indicate which game management unit (pages 14-15) the animal was harvested in.
• Following successful registration of river otter via GameReg, a CITES tag will be sent to the trapper’s address listed in Go Wild. Upon receiving the CITES tag in the mail, the trapper must immediately affix the CITES tag to the head portion of the otter pelt to certify that the animal was harvested legally. After the CITES tag has been attached, all registration and certification requirements are complete.