Something strange swimming in the RR

[Hookmanski]

Hey all!

Earlier this week I was fishing the RR near my grandfathers farm in North Branch. I was casting a spinner and I saw something move in the water. Thinking it was a fish, I casted at it. Luckily I didnt catch it because it was definitely not a fish! Some kind of hairy animal, a fast swimmer. I called my grandfather to tell him about it, he thought it was a muskrat, but I thought it was bigger than that. Too small to be a beaver. My thought it that it was an otter! It was long and thin and swam with grace, I watched it swim across the river and it scurried up the bank before I could get a good look at it.

I know otters have made a little bit of a comeback in Jerz, is it possible thats what I saw? Any input is appreciated, thanks all!

[thmyorke1]

I saw one the week before opening day at Duke Island Park. Im not too knowledgeable about the lil dudes but ill give them a read some time.

[Jigman13]

Mink?

[Eskimo]

.


There are a few otters in New Jersey. In fact, Fish & Wildlife has a season for trapping otters: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2016/beavott_regs16.pdf

I often see mink dashing about the shoreline of the South Branch, but I haven't seen any otters.

The only otter I ever saw in New Jersey was in the Great Swamp - which is the headwaters of the Passaic.

.

[meatwad555]

I've seen an otter in the north branch before. Much further north than where it sounds like you were though. He jumped in the water and swam off when I walked up to the bank of the river. I kept looking around while fishing but I never saw it again.

[Billfish715]

I saw one in the Great Swamp last spring. I've also had them around our dock in Manasquan quite often. They are in New Jersey but not often seen. What I have seen on many of the waterways in the state are beavers. The most recent sighting was on the North Branch of the Raritan in the Far Hills area. As you're walking along the banks, check the trees for the tell-tale signs of beaver activity. You'd be surprised at where those paddle-tale rats show up.

[antgogz]

Def an otter. There is one that lives in a private lake that i fish in jefferson. They are quick swimmers and bob their heads in an out of the water quickly. They are def smaller than beavers.

[23cardinal]

Def an otter. There is one that lives in a private lake that i fish in jefferson. They are quick swimmers and bob their heads in an out of the water quickly. They are def smaller than beavers.

There's otters in split rock- and possibly monksville. I've seen a bunch of beavers and muskrats- did u see him in the water or out? If it's isolated I wouldn't be surprised, could also be a mink too
Could also be a juvenille beaver too

[Mikey topaz]

Sasquatch!!! Probly trying to get another anglers jerkey!

[tycomps]

Thought I saw an otter a few weeks ago, turned out to be a squirrel! In 50 years I've never seen a squirrel swimming!

[Hookmanski]

There's otters in split rock- and possibly monksville. I've seen a bunch of beavers and muskrats- did u see him in the water or out? If it's isolated I wouldn't be surprised, could also be a mink too
Could also be a juvenille beaver too

He was in the water swimming across, really fast! It definitely wasn't a beaver seeing as the tail was long and thin, too long to be a muskrat too.

Thanks to everyone for the replies! . It was either a mink or an otter, but I'm pretty sure it was an otter at this point. After doing doing some research I found that people usually seem them near steep river banks, and there happened to be a very tall steep bank right where I saw him. I'm not ruling mink out, but I really want to believe it was an otter :D Such a cool sight to see, it's amazing to see wildlife like this returning in NJ. The same day just a few hours before I saw a bald eagle on my grandpa's farm with a juvenile following close behind. too cool! Thanks again everyone, tight lines!

[Ken Lyons]

Split Rock and Tilcon too. Don't count on seeing them often. Monks are much smaller than Otters.

[Hookmanski]

Split Rock and Tilcon too. Don't count on seeing them often. Monks are much smaller than Otters.

I'm honestly thankful I got to see one! I know they're hard to come by.

[NJSquatch]

Sasquatch!!! Probly trying to get another anglers jerkey!

+1

[Bill Willix]

I have seen otters in the Paulinskill in Blairstown. I have seen them in Bigflat brook and also the Raritan in long valley. There are actually quite a few in NJ you especially see them very early in the morning

[icebadger]

it might have been a chupacabra don't know if i spelled that right.:rolleyes

[Billfish715]

Thought I saw an otter a few weeks ago, turned out to be a squirrel! In 50 years I've never seen a squirrel swimming!

Squirrels can't swim when they are holding their nuts.

[XXlyakattacker]

I've also seen several in the Great Swamp. Could it have been a beaver?

[Hookmanski]

I've also seen several in the Great Swamp. Could it have been a beaver?

I don't think it was a beaver, tail was long and thin and sticking up slightly out of the water.