- Updated: Jul. 10, 2026, 9:11 a.m.
- |Published: Jul. 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
- Fisher and marten trapping seasons expanded in Upstate NY – syracuse.com
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently adopted two new regulations updating fisher and marten trapping seasons.
The new regulations open new areas to fisher trapping, and extend trapping seasons in parts of Central and Western New York. Season dates have also been shifted later in the year to better match when pelts are at their highest quality.
In addition, restrictions on the use of baited body-gripping traps outside of the fisher season have been eased in areas outside of Adirondack wildlife management units.
All changes are based on years of research and input from trappers across the state, DEC said.
Since 2016, DEC has partnered with researchers at Cornell University and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry to study fisher populations across the state.
Studies show that fisher populations have increased in many areas, including western New York, and remain stable in others, such as the central Adirondacks.
Based on these findings, DEC said fisher populations in western New York can support carefully managed, conservative trapping seasons while continuing to remain stable or increase.
DEC said it also consulted feedback from more than 7,000 licensed trappers through a statewide survey. Trappers consistently identified pelt quality and time in the field as the most important elements of a positive trapping experience, DEC said.
DEC used this input, along with biological data, to set fisher season dates and lengths that balance trapper interests, public expectations, and long-term conservation goals.
DEC’s fisher management plan is available online, along with the full text of the adopted regulation and a summary of the public comments DEC received on the proposal.