As part of a field investigation related to a proposal to raise Shasta Dam and expand Shasta Lake, forest carnivore surveys were performed to determine the presence of Pacific fisher (Martes pennanti pacifica) within the study area. The investigation began with a pilot survey in 2003, followed by 2 larger surveys in 2004 and 2005. Eighty-five baited remote camera stations were used across a 53-sample unit survey grid in the 549 km2 study area. Pacific fishers were detected at 13 locations throughout much of the region around Shasta Lake. They occurred in areas generally not considered to be suitable habitat in California, including open second-growth conifer, hardwood-conifer, and hardwood habitats that had extensive chaparral components in the study area. Three detections occurred in areas that were barren and semi-barren 50?60 years ago as a result of copper smelting. There were detections near residential and industrial development areas. These results provide additional information on habitat use and distribution of the Pacific fisher in northern California that may help conservation efforts.
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