BOISE, ID — Idaho Fish and Game has completed the first year of a relocation project aimed at boosting fisher populations in North Idaho.

Working with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Idaho Trappers Association, the agency moved fishers from the Clearwater Region to the Coeur d’Alene Mountains in the Panhandle.

Fishers — members of the weasel family — rely on mature forests with large trees and snags for resting and denning. The Panhandle has suitable habitat but only a small, isolated population.

Trappers live-captured the animals from early November through mid-December. After being housed and monitored, each was fitted with a GPS collar before release.

A total of 11 fishers — seven males and four females — were released.

The project is intended to strengthen the local population and improve connections between groups in the Cabinet Mountains and the St. Joe-Clearwater-Nez Perce area. Fish and Game plans to continue the effort for another one to two years, with a goal of relocating up to 30 animals.