Preston R. Fischer

February 10, 2000—November 2, 2025 In the early morning hours of November 2, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio, the fisheries field tragically lost one of its young, early-career professionals. Preston R. Fischer (age 25), affectionately known by many as “PFish,” was taken into His heavenly kingdom when a vehicle left the road and struck him as a pedestrian. Described by his family as a “bright light,” Preston will always be remembered for his passion, enthusiasm, and a contagious smile that was as big as the PFISH on his truck’s license plate. He is mourned by fisheries research colleagues and mentors in Idaho, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Preston attended Sylvania Southview High School in Sylvania, Ohio, and was a 4-year player on the high school lacrosse team (including 2 years as team captain). Preston earned his BS in forestry, fisheries, and wildlife, with a specialization in fisheries and wildlife sciences, from the Ohio State University in the spring of 2023. During his time at Ohio State, Preston was also a member of the Theta Chi fraternity actively engaged in community outreach and a member of AFS and the AFS Ohio Chapter. Constantly striving to gain more fisheries experience, Preston worked as a fisheries technician with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) fisheries management team based in Antigo, in the northeastern part of the state, during the summer of 2022 where he focused on trout stream restoration. Always looking for adventure, Preston moved west immediately after graduation to work with Hickey Brothers Research, removing invasive Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush from Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming. Taken under the wings of the Hickey Brothers team, Preston also earned his 50-ton Master Captain’s license during this time. Beginning in late 2024, Preston worked for several months with Idaho Fish and Game conducting various surveys for Burbot lota lota and White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus. This past April, Preston moved to northwestern Wisconsin to join the Spooner-based fisheries research team of the WDNR Office of Applied Science as a fisheries research technician. Preston immediately became an integral team member, helping to conduct spring mark–recapture population estimates for Muskellunge Esox masquinongy, Preston’s favorite fish and angling pursuit. He was also instrumental in conducting lake habitat surveys, Lake Sturgeon A. fulvescens monitoring, and fish behavioral research as part of a Muskellunge/Northern Pike E. lucius interactions study. Preston’s role with the Spooner-based fisheries research team was critical for addressing high priority research needs of the WDNR’s Bureau of Fisheries Management to inform science-based fisheries policy decisions. After completing his appointment with the Spooner-based fisheries research team in October, Preston aspired to attend graduate school to learn more about fish propagation as a step to fulfilling his lifelong dream of one day managing his own fish farm. Preston was gregarious and social. He could find a connection with anyone he interacted with and become fast friends. His smile could brighten any room and improve the mood of any situation. His infectious personality and skill on the water made long days in the field enjoyable and easy. We are devastated by this tragedy, and our condolences go out to Preston’s family and friends, as well as all his fisheries colleagues who were blessed to know and interact with him. He will be sorely missed by many in this earthly life, and it is unfortunate that we will not get to see what Preston would have continued to contribute to the fisheries discipline. Preston was a devout Christian. And as we remember that Jesus and His Apostles were fishers of men, we take solace in the fact that Preston has now been commended into His heavenly kingdom to join them in an eternal fishing trip. Rest in peace and tight lines, Preston.