Fishing Spider
Scientific Name: Dolomedes tenebrosus
Order & Family: Araneae (order), Pisauridae (family)
Size: Body length is 15-26 mm for females, 7-13 mm for males; including legs, they can exceed 3 inches (7-8 cm) in diameter.
Natural Habitat
Typically found near bodies of water (lakes, ponds, streams) or in wooded areas; often enters homes and barns near wooded environments.
Diet & Feeding
Mainly insects, but also small fish and aquatic larvae. They are active hunters that do not use webs to catch prey.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal hunters that can sit motionless for long periods waiting for prey. They are capable of running across water surfaces and even diving underneath. Females are known to carry their large egg sacs in their jaws.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem by controlling insect and small aquatic populations. Although large and intimidating, they are generally shy and not aggressive; their bite is not considered medically significant to humans, similar to a bee sting.
Identified on: 3/19/2026