The footage of the usually elusive mustelid was captured by Tom Amphlett while out fishing at Hunts Lock, between Kingsmead and Northwich town centre, in the afternoon on Thursday, December 11.
Unsurprisingly, the Roberts Bakery worker didn’t catch much while sharing his swim with the voracious fish predator.
American mink are not native to the UK though they are now common and widespread, having escaped or been deliberately released from fur farms in the 1960s.
Larger than its native polecat cousin, males often exceed two feet in length and can weigh more than 1.6kgs.
Tom said he has never seen a mink before but knows they inhabit the River Weaver.
“This is the first time I’ve seen one, so it took me by surprise,” the 31-year-old said.
“I did once see a video a lad had posted of one up by Waitrose though.
“I didn’t catch much as the conditions were pretty poor anyway, but it’s nice just to get out of the house.”
As well as eating fish, mink also target ground nesting birds and mammals, and are considered a serious ecological threat in parts of the UK where their prey is already under pressure.
Excellent swimmers, they can be mistaken for out native otter which also call the River Weaver home, though otters are considerably bigger.