Canoeist dies in the BWCA

A 62-year-old Duluth man on a solo camping trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area was found dead Friday on Lake Agnes, which is about 25 miles north of Ely, a St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office news release said.

Around 5 p.m. Friday, canoeists in the BWCA called 911 to report that they had located a capsized canoe and partly submerged, deceased human body on the lake.

Members of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Office Rescue Squad and U.S. Forest Service responded and upon their arrival on scene recovered the body of 62-year-old, Duluth resident, Mark Ham.

A life jacket was located on scene but was not worn by the victim. With the opening of the Minnesota fishing season this weekend, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Rescue Squad would like to remind everyone to please wear their lifejackets while out on the water enjoying their favorite water recreations this summer.

This incident remains under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Midwest Medical Examiner Office.