Illinois man found dead on Lake Poygan after search that involved five safety departments

A 56-year-old Illinois man was found dead after a search involving five safety departments began Saturday afternoon in Winnebago County.

The search started at 1:20 p.m. when the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office received a request to respond to an area of Lake Poygan near Noffke's Landing on Highway B. Police were told that a man had been fishing in the area and that he was missing.

According to Capt. Lara Vendola-Messer of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, that search would eventually include the Winneconne Poygan Fire District, Poy Sippi Fire Department, Boom Bay Fire Department, Oshkosh Fire Department and Omro Rushford Fire Department.

These factions used their personnel, airboats, ATVs, drones and other equipment to conduct the search. 

After about two hours of searching, the fisherman was found dead in open water near the area of Captain’s Cove by members of the Poy Sippi Fire Department around 3:10 pm. 

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office stated it will not be sharing any additional information at this time.