Question about fisher running poles, has anyone successfully set them with footholds instead of conibears? In pa we can't set conibears outside of a water course, so can't use them for fisher running poles. Until now my uncle and I have just been using cubbies and such trying for fisher, but was wondering if a running pole could be done with a foothold, and if so what are some of the techniques used, like stabilizing the trap and such?

Don't know about poles, though I caught one on a horizontal pole with a marten box, beaver for bait and Gusto. Had a #120 Belisle in the box.
Caught the rest on the ground with foot holds in cubbies.

Caught my 1st fisher many years ago in a leghold on a running pole. I chopped a notch in the pole for the trap and fastened a stepping stick in front of the trap.

Why not just set fisher box on the ground and put foot trap in front of it? Wouldn’t even have to cover it. 99% of fishers have never seen a trap. A very light covering of grass might be all it needs.

From Fisher trapping in Maine over the years I can say that a number of fishers will not go up a pole. I think by making running poles you are eliminating a certain number of Fisher that will not work your set.

At our WTA rondy we have had several different trappers do Fisher demos and everyone has stated that their fisher catch with ground sets were far more productive then running pole sets. You may have specific reasons why you want to catch them on running poles with footholds but it may be more challenging and also more challenging with a live fisher in a trap not on any solid surface.

Bryce