Require Fisher exclusion boxes for all box trap sets

The public is invited to comment on the proposed trapping regulation described below.

Status: Proposed

Region: Region 3, Thompson Region 5, Cariboo

Management unit (MU): 3-30, 3-31, 5-01, 5-02, 5-12, 5-13 and 5-14

Regulation type: Trapping

Species: Fisher

Closing date: February 13, 2026 at 4:30 pm PT

Current regulation:

Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis Page 73

• Trappers are strongly encouraged to use a Fisher Exclusion Box when marten trapping in areas where there is a chance of incidentally trapping fishers 
• Exclusion boxes must include an entry hole ≤56 mm (2¼”) in diameter and have a distance between the trap and entry hole 10” or longer (see diagram below). These modifications still allow martens to access the trap but exclude fisher
• For more information on fisher exclusion boxes, including specifications,  assembly, and other practices to reduce incidental trapping of fishers visit the Trapping in B.C. page 

Proposed regulation:

Require Fisher exclusion boxes for all box trap sets in Management Units 3-30 and 3-31 in the Thompson region, and Management Units 5-1, 5-2, 5-12, 5-13 and 5-14 in the Cariboo Region (vicinity of Clinton, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and Quesnel).

Rationale:

Fishers are forest-dependent, medium-sized carnivores that are found only in North America. In BC there are two populations of fishers: the blue-listed Boreal population and the red-listed Columbian population. The Columbian fisher is currently estimated at 272-558 mature individuals.

Declines in habitat quality through forest harvesting and additive mortality from trapping are the primary threats to the red-listed Columbian population of fishers.

In August 2021, trapping seasons for fishers in the range of the Columbian population were closed; however, fishers are still killed as bycatch during open seasons for other furbearers.

Fisher exclusion boxes (FEBs) reduce the size of openings for marten boxes to prevent fisher from entering a marten box set, while still allowing the target species, marten, to enter. More information on FEBs can be found in the Fisher Exclusion Box Infographic (PDF, 3.8MB).

The killing of fishers in traps set for other species remains a concern. The government of B.C. has worked with trappers to promote the use of FEBs and other methods to reduce fisher bycatch. These efforts have likely had a positive impact on rates of bycatch, but incidentally killed Columbian fishers are still reported each year (2022/23: 13-15; 2023/24: 27-32, 2024/25: 33 to date), with an unknown number going unreported annually. In comparison, in the decade prior to the 2021 closure of the fisher trapping season, an average of approximately 140 Columbian fishers were harvested annually. It is the goal of the Wildlife and Ecosystems Branch to reduce incidental trapping/bycatch of Columbian fisher.

Management units 3-30 and 3-31 in the vicinity of Clinton, Thompson region, and management units 5-1, 5-2, 5-12, 5-13 and 5-14 in the vicinity of 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and Quesnel in the Cariboo region have modelled high habitat values for adult female fisher and a history of fisher harvest, making the regulatory proposal targeted for where it will have the greatest potential value.

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