Sixspotted fishing spider (Dolomedes triton)
The sixspotted fishing spider is a spider in the family Pisauridae that is not dangerous to people. GBIF holds 1,647 licensed U.S. records of it; it reaches our listing threshold in 42 states, most of all Texas (200), Florida (182) and Virginia (145). Its observation records peak in June.
The six-spotted fishing spider (Dolomedes triton) is a species of spider in the family Dolomedidae. Found in wetland habitats throughout North America, these spiders are usually seen scampering along the surface of ponds and other bodies of water. They are also referred to as dock spiders because they can sometimes be witnessed quickly vanishing through the cracks of boat docks.
From Wikipedia: Six-spotted fishing spider, text under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is the sixspotted fishing spider poisonous or venomous?
Not in any medically significant way. Like almost all spiders the sixspotted fishing spider (family Pisauridae) has venom for its prey, but it is not a widow or recluse, the two U.S. groups whose bites need medical attention.
Which states have the sixspotted fishing spider?
Records are spread over 42 states; the top three, Texas, Florida and Virginia, hold 32% of them.
| # | State | Records | Share of state spiders | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 200 | 0.7% | 27th of 386 |
| 2 | Florida | 182 | 1.4% | 13th of 237 |
| 3 | Virginia | 145 | 1.3% | 22nd of 176 |
| 4 | North Carolina | 115 | 1.4% | 16th of 184 |
| 5 | Louisiana | 92 | 2.3% | 12th of 107 |
| 6 | Georgia | 85 | 1.3% | 21st of 186 |
| 7 | Ohio | 67 | 1.0% | 25th of 332 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 65 | 1.4% | 17th of 189 |
| 9 | New York | 62 | 1.0% | 25th of 149 |
| 10 | Delaware | 58 | 2.8% | 8th of 71 |
| 11 | Illinois | 51 | 0.3% | 55th of 243 |
| 12 | Maryland | 48 | 0.8% | 34th of 153 |
| 13 | Minnesota | 47 | 1.6% | 15th of 145 |
| 14 | Connecticut | 37 | 3.7% | 7th of 86 |
| 15 | New Jersey | 35 | 1.5% | 17th of 127 |
| 16 | South Carolina | 30 | 1.3% | 20th of 121 |
| 17 | Tennessee | 30 | 0.8% | 34th of 138 |
| 18 | Indiana | 28 | 0.6% | 35th of 133 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 26 | 1.9% | 15th of 72 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 25 | 0.8% | 27th of 149 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | 22 | 0.3% | 54th of 164 |
| 22 | Missouri | 21 | 0.9% | 23rd of 117 |
| 23 | Alaska | 20 | 0.1% | 192nd of 280 |
| 24 | Arkansas | 20 | 1.2% | 24th of 114 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | 19 | 0.4% | 57th of 149 |
| 26 | Alabama | 16 | 0.4% | 57th of 143 |
| 27 | Mississippi | 16 | 1.1% | 19th of 117 |
| 28 | Michigan | 15 | 0.6% | 34th of 122 |
| 29 | Vermont | 13 | 0.8% | 26th of 74 |
| 30 | Arizona | 9 | 0.2% | 51st of 162 |
| 31 | Washington | 9 | 0.2% | 59th of 157 |
| 32 | Kentucky | 8 | 0.4% | 51st of 103 |
| 33 | Maine | 7 | 0.7% | 30th of 297 |
| 34 | Colorado | 3 | 0.1% | 98th of 378 |
| 35 | Kansas | 3 | 0.2% | 67th of 94 |
| 36 | Nebraska | 3 | 0.2% | 57th of 71 |
| 37 | Oregon | 3 | 0.1% | 65th of 88 |
| 38 | West Virginia | 3 | 0.4% | 40th of 90 |
| 39 | Idaho | 2 | 0.4% | 32nd of 56 |
| 40 | Iowa | 2 | 0.3% | 38th of 57 |
| 41 | Montana | 1 | 0.0% | 59th of 75 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | 1 | 0.6% | 29th of 53 |
When is the sixspotted fishing spider seen?
Across the U.S., observation records of the sixspotted fishing spider run mostly February through October, peaking in June with 17% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 7% of them.
Season by state
Observation records run through most of the year in Florida and Texas. Among states whose main season falls within one calendar year, it starts earliest in February (Georgia, Louisiana and North Carolina) and latest in May (Connecticut). The most common peak month is June, shared by Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio and Tennessee.
| State | Main season | Peak month | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | most of the year | April | 198 |
| Florida | most of the year | April | 181 |
| Virginia | March through October | April | 136 |
| North Carolina | February through August | May | 114 |
| Louisiana | February through October | April | 92 |
| Georgia | February through September | June | 85 |
| Ohio | April through September | June | 67 |
| Massachusetts | March through September | June | 65 |
| New York | March through September | April | 62 |
| Delaware | March through September | June | 58 |
| Maryland | March through October | June | 48 |
| Minnesota | March through September | May | 47 |
| Connecticut | May through September | May | 37 |
| New Jersey | March through October | September | 35 |
| Tennessee | December through July | June | 30 |
Where the sixspotted fishing spider is recorded in each state
Texas
Texas holds 200 licensed records, the joint 27th most recorded of 386 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Texas run through most of the year, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Harris County, Tarrant County and Brazoria County. Next come Dallas County (11) and Travis County (9).
Florida
Florida holds 182 licensed records, the 13th most recorded of 237 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Orange County, Alachua County and Franklin County. Next come Gadsden County (13) and Escambia County (9).
Virginia
Virginia holds 145 licensed records, the 22nd most recorded of 176 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Virginia run mostly March through October, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Fairfax County, Smyth County and Henrico County. Next come Lynchburg (9) and Prince William County (8).
North Carolina
North Carolina holds 115 licensed records, the 16th most recorded of 184 spiders listed there. Its observation records in North Carolina run mostly February through August, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Durham County, Wake County and Orange County. Next come Gaston County (9) and Dare County (6).
Louisiana
Louisiana holds 92 licensed records, the 12th most recorded of 107 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Louisiana run mostly February through October, peaking in April; most licensed records come from East Baton Rouge Parish, Saint Tammany Parish and Jefferson Parish. Next come Saint James Parish (7) and Calcasieu Parish (5).
Georgia
Georgia holds 85 licensed records, the 21st most recorded of 186 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Georgia run mostly February through September, peaking in June; most licensed records come from Clarke County, Charlton County and Decatur County. Next come DeKalb County (7) and Richmond County (5).
Ohio
Ohio holds 67 licensed records, the 25th most recorded of 332 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Ohio run mostly April through September, peaking in June; most licensed records come from Summit County, Warren County and Clermont County. Next come Lucas County (5) and Stark County (5).
Massachusetts
Massachusetts holds 65 licensed records, the 17th most recorded of 189 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Massachusetts run mostly March through September, peaking in June; most licensed records come from Plymouth County, Middlesex County and Norfolk County. Next come Worcester County (9) and Essex County (7).
New York
New York holds 62 licensed records, the 25th most recorded of 149 spiders listed there. Its observation records in New York run mostly March through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Rensselaer County, Columbia County and Suffolk County. Next come Wayne County (6) and Onondaga County (5).
Delaware
Delaware holds 58 licensed records, the joint 8th most recorded of 71 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Delaware run mostly March through September, peaking in June; most licensed records come from Sussex County, Kent County and New Castle County.
Illinois
Illinois holds 51 licensed records, the joint 55th most recorded of 243 spiders listed there. Most of its licensed records in Illinois come from Cook County, Will County and Lake County. Next come Pulaski County (4) and Vermilion County (3).
Maryland
Maryland holds 48 licensed records, the joint 34th most recorded of 153 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Maryland run mostly March through October, peaking in June; most licensed records come from Montgomery County, Prince George's County and Calvert County. Next come Caroline County (4) and Anne Arundel County (3).
Minnesota
Minnesota holds 47 licensed records, the joint 15th most recorded of 145 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Minnesota run mostly March through September, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Hennepin County, Lake County and Anoka County. Next come Ramsey County (3) and St. Louis County (3).
Connecticut
Connecticut holds 37 licensed records, the 7th most recorded of 86 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Connecticut run mostly May through September, peaking in May; most licensed records come from New Haven County, Fairfield County and Litchfield County. Next come Hartford County (3) and Middlesex County (2).
New Jersey
New Jersey holds 35 licensed records, the 17th most recorded of 127 spiders listed there. Its observation records in New Jersey run mostly March through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Atlantic County, Middlesex County and Cape May County. Next come Mercer County (3) and Morris County (3).
South Carolina
South Carolina holds 30 licensed records, the joint 20th most recorded of 121 spiders listed there. Most of its licensed records in South Carolina come from Lexington County, Charleston County and Abbeville County. Next come Chesterfield County (2) and Georgetown County (2).
Tennessee
Tennessee holds 30 licensed records, the joint 34th most recorded of 138 spiders listed there. Its observation records in Tennessee run mostly December through July, peaking in June; most licensed records come from Cheatham County, Davidson County and Knox County. Next come Montgomery County (4) and Bradley County (2).
Top counties in the U.S.
| # | County | State | Records | Share of U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sussex County | Delaware | 44 | 2.7% |
| 2 | Fairfax County | Virginia | 40 | 2.4% |
| 3 | Durham County | North Carolina | 25 | 1.5% |
| 4 | Orange County | Florida | 22 | 1.3% |
| 5 | East Baton Rouge Parish | Louisiana | 22 | 1.3% |
| 6 | Alachua County | Florida | 20 | 1.2% |
| 7 | Harris County | Texas | 20 | 1.2% |
| 8 | Saint Tammany Parish | Louisiana | 19 | 1.2% |
| 9 | New Haven County | Connecticut | 17 | 1.0% |
| 10 | Franklin County | Florida | 17 | 1.0% |
| 11 | Wake County | North Carolina | 16 | 1.0% |
| 12 | Clarke County | Georgia | 14 | 0.9% |
| 13 | Hennepin County | Minnesota | 14 | 0.9% |
| 14 | Tarrant County | Texas | 14 | 0.9% |
| 15 | Gadsden County | Florida | 13 | 0.8% |
How recent are the sixspotted fishing spider records?
Most of what is known about the sixspotted fishing spider is recent: 91% of dated U.S. records were made in 2017–2026, and half date from 2023 or later. The oldest dated record is from 1914; the busiest year was 2025, with 310 records.
| Decade | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 1 | 0.1% |
| 1920s | 2 | 0.1% |
| 1930s | 22 | 1.3% |
| 1940s | 3 | 0.2% |
| 1950s | 6 | 0.4% |
| 1960s | 7 | 0.4% |
| 1980s | 12 | 0.7% |
| 1990s | 4 | 0.2% |
| 2000s | 16 | 0.9% |
| 2010s | 266 | 15.7% |
| 2020s | 1,352 | 80.0% |
Species recorded in the same counties
Of the 228 counties where the sixspotted fishing spider is most recorded, 142 are also top counties for the black-and-yellow argiope, more than for any other spider. None of its closest neighbors is venomous.
| Species | Shared counties |
|---|---|
| Black-and-yellow argiope | 142 |
| Familiar jumping spider | 132 |
| Nursery web spider | 125 |
| Bold jumper | 123 |
| Spotted orbweaver | 123 |
| Dark fishing spider | 118 |
| Orchard orbweaver | 117 |
| Bronze jumper | 100 |
Related species in the U.S.
Other species of the genus Dolomedes with profiles here: Dark fishing spider, White-banded fishing spider, Dock spider and Banded fishing spider.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.