Fishing Spider

Description:

Dolomedes are large spiders, especially the females. This particular individual is almost certainly tenebrosus, the largest native spider in Minnesota, but there are about 100 species worldwide.

Habitat:

These spiders are most often found at the edge of water in forested country.

Notes:

Fishing spiders received their common name from their habit of detecting prey--insects, tadpoles, even small fish--and then breaking the surface tension of the water to capture it. It is often found on or near piers, rocks bordering the water, etc.