What is this critter?

[Lee Borgersen]

This critter was swimming in the BWCA last week. When I tried to get closer he swam faster than my electric motor could go. He never dove down. Just swam to this tree and took a look at us before vanishing. I don't know what he is? Anyone have an Idea? It was small in size.

[proangler16]

My first guess would be a fresh water Otter, second guess would be a mink, both live near water ways and such.  Hard to tell on the picture though?

[Lee Borgersen]

I was thinking mink when I spotted it.

[Outdoors Junkie]

Too small for an otter.  It looks like a mink to me.  The hair looks like a mink.

[kenhuntin]

It is part of a future stole

[Go Big Red!]

Mink or a young pine marten?  Do they swim?   

[GRIZ]

Mink

[brandbll]

Mink

Yep.  We had one at that was living on my Uncle and neighbor's property here in the Twin Cities this year which was a first.  Ate up the eggs from the Duck that made a nest in the garden.  In the end though, the Mink got a little greedy.  Tried to crawl into a fish basket to eat some sucker minnows one night, let's just say smart enough to get in but too dumb to get out...