In view of the shortage of the fisher fishing algorithm easily falling into local optimum, a niche fisher fishing algorithm is proposed to improve the global optimization capability of basic fisher fishing algorithm, and applied to solve distribution network substation planning problem. This paper composes niche groups according to the distance between the various entities on the basis of the basic fisher fishing algorithm, and conducts the optimization by using fisher fishing algorithm in niche groups. For the updated groups, according to the distance between the individuals, the shared mechanism is used to change their fitness, and to improve the global search ability of the entire group. Through the calculation and analysis of the given test case, the results show a high convergence success rate and better solution of this algorithm for the substation locating and sizing issues.