The body of a rural Detroit Lakes, Minn., man was recovered this morning in Lake Melissa by family and friends after a search that began when he was reported overdue from a fishing trip.
Joseph Clarence Johnson, 59, was found in about seven feet of water, the Becker County Sheriff's Department said in a press release.
The Sheriff's Department said it appears Johnson may have fallen out of his boat. A storm had struck the area about 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Shortly before then, about 3 p.m., Johnson had talked with his brother by cell phone.
Johnson's boat drifted to shore where it was noticed by a lake resident about 3:30 p.m., but that person thought it had blown off a neighbor's boat lift.
Johnson was reported missing about 9:30 p.m. Thursday when his pickup and boat trailer were found by his brother at the Lake Melissa public access.
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A night search by the sheriff's department, Becker County Boat and Water and the Detroit Lakes Fire Department was held until 1 a.m. today and resumed at 7 a.m.
Johnson's body was spotted about 8:03 a.m. by a pilot and family friend conducting an aerial search, the Sheriff's Department said.
He was not wearing a life jacket and the sheriff's office said it appears he succumbed to hypothermia before reaching shore.
