I caught 2 in the Daks nearly 50 years ago, and a bobkitty and a couple yotes. Did a ton of fox and coon trapping throughout the early to late 80s. Have done a lot of water trapping, my favorite animal to trap specifically is mink. Refuse to kill any to sell with prices as low as they have been. All that said, and at age 68, I am having an itch I am gonna try to scratch. I may just give Fisher and 'cats ago this fall (2026) because I see the DEC has both extended the season to 14 days from 5 AND moved it to a later timeframe to ensure better fur quality. Now my itch has found a target! Reality is I have no traps for them. I will be purchasing 2 dozen 160s definitely, not sure if brand matters much, I have experience using Duke 160s for mink. If there is a better brand go ahead and comment. The real advice I need is for traps to use on the ground in cubbies, and maybe a few hole sets. I just ordered today, 3 single traps just to evaluate with primary factors being jaw spread, quality, strength, and to a lesser extent value. the reason I say that is I only really need probably 2 dozen and a difference between $12 and $20 will not be the main deciding factor in that purchase. All the fisher, if any, I catch will be going to a tanner, if I luck into a 'kitty, same for it. Non target possibilities likely are yotes, red and gray fox, and probably coon as well, but fisher is the primary target along with a kitty so those are the primarys I am looking for advice on. The 3 traps I purchased were an MB 550 with OS Jaws, a Duke 550 Pro also OS Jaws, and a Duke 1 3/4 with OS jaws, which was the cheapest of the 3 traps. I don't believe a jaw spread over 5" is necessary for Fisher but with a cat also in the picture I believe 5 1/4 to 5 1/2" is probably the better option given that a coyote might also happen along, and if it was black/phase I'd be tickled pink and it would also go to the Tanner. So there it is, I need 2 dozen of 1 size based on those factors. Price is not an issue, I want the BEST trap, or at least a very capable one with few drawbacks for this situation. Please go ahead and comment.

I use a belisle 160 in a homemade wire cage....on a leaning pole ..

5 feet off the ground.

Don't know what your regs are for body grippers on the ground are...

But a 120 with double springs is deadly

Ive heard that, may get a doz 120s for ground use too, still need some leghold recs for the cat and canines that may happen by. Can use a 160 0n the ground but there are some really unbelievable regs in NY on HOW to use it let me tell ya! Better option on the ground is the leghold because of that alone! TY!

Would be interested in seeing a pic of the wire cage and the dimensions please!

I never caught fisher when I grew up in NYS, but for footholds I would use a closed jaw trap. Maybe #2 DLS, or a 1-3/4 any brand coil spring.

The 550 are more than enough but I would personally feel more confident with a closed jaw trap.

Good luck. Fisher everywhere now in the central NY area where I used to live.

A 160 or a 1 1/2 in any brand should do you fine. I’ve caught plenty in either.

I caught most of mine in a NO BS canine Extreme. Oh, and 1 in a V-14. No kidding. However, I would think any coil in the 1-1/2 size would be good. Bodygrip traps for me mean Belisle.

160 155 or 120s all work great

I would take a look at the new Duke Super Mag 160 that's coming out. For coil springs the Duke 450 either closed jaw or half offset ( a somewhat hybrid with one closed jaw and an offset jaw to reduce the overall offset width.). And #11 long springs have anchored both yotes and bobcat.

A 120 will definitely kill them but for the extra couple bucks per trap I’d recommend getting a dozen 160 s over a dozen 120s. I prefer Bélisle.

Any pics and dimensions on the wire cage?

I am in WNY close to the Southern Tier.