Search for missing kayaker continues a week after he went missing

Daily searches continue for a 44-year-old Watertown man who went missing last week Sunday, August 11, 2024, on Green Lake while kayaking.

The family of the man reported him missing last Monday morning after he failed to return home the day before.

Officials found the man’s kayak overturned with a life preserver during their initial search and have since found items like his water bottle, a tackle box and a fishing rod.
Chief Deputy Matthew Vande Kolk says the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting aerial drone searches every morning that weather permits.

They’re also using underwater drones and towable submersible sonar. Equipment from the Wisconsin DNR and the organization Bruce’s Legacy, which are capable of searching water deeper than 50 feet.

Law enforcement is asking anyone boating out on the lake that if they see something floating to take a closer look. If its just garbage or other floating debris, they ask you remove it as this will help save them time from examining these items while they are doing their searches. They also ask if you do find something possibly related to the search, to record GPS coordinates if you are able to.