One Man Dead, Another Hospitalized After Boating Accident on Lake Poygan

A weekend outing on Lake Poygan ended in tragedy after a two-day water rescue and recovery effort near the Bay Lane Boat Launch.

According to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the launch around 4:37 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, for a report of a man in distress who had been found in the water by another boater. The man was pulled from the lake and transported by Fremont Ambulance to a local hospital, where he is expected to recover.

During contact with others aboard the vessel, deputies learned that a second man was missing and believed to still be in the water. Search and rescue crews, including the Winnebago County Dive and Drone Teams, worked late into the evening and resumed the search Sunday.

Early Sunday afternoon, the missing man was found deceased with assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and multiple local fire departments, including Boom Bay, Winneconne-Poygan, Poy Sippi, Fremont, and Omro-Rushford.

The victim’s name has not yet been released pending notification of family members.

An eyewitness  told Weyauwega-Fremont News & Events that high winds and choppy water conditions may have contributed to the accident, though authorities have not confirmed a cause.

Officials have not yet said whether the vessel was privately owned or rented.

The incident remains under investigation.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected,” Sheriff John Matz said in a statement.

This story will be updated as more information becomes legally available from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin DNR.