Body of 70-year-old fisherman recovered from Lake Elizabeth
Updated: 1:33 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2025
TWIN LAKES, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Twin Lakes Police Department says the body of a 70-year-old ice fisherman was recovered from Lake Elizabeth Friday, Jan. 31.
Police say the fisherman went missing after a UTV carrying three individuals went through open water.
Dean Peterson has spent most of his life ice fishing on Lake Elizabeth. On Thursday night, that changed.
"The biggest part of this derby is our children and grandchildren. It's a blast for them," said Peterson. "I called off the derby yesterday after this tragic accident."
Peterson says he was at home when he heard the sirens go past his house. That's when Peterson says he realized someone had probably gone through the ice in the lake.
"It's an alarming concern, cause once you go through the ice, you're in trouble," said Peterson.
The two other men on board were able to make it out of the water safely. They told police the driver did not realize the water was open in that area and believed it to be water pooled on top of the ice. Several local law enforcement agencies spent Thursday night looking for the driver.
"Many first responders, and they were diligently trying to come to scene and see if they can pull this person out," said Peterson.
On Friday morning, the 70-year-old's body was recovered. Police have not yet released his name.
Jim Keiler, a Twin Lakes resident, says standing on the ice is always a risk.
"I thought I'd come over and take a look and see where exactly it went through," said Keiler. "I don't go on the ice. My grandfather went through the ice and died, and ever since then I just don't go on the ice."
The Wisconsin DNR has advised people that all bodies of water in Twin Lakes are unsafe at this time. It's an advisory residents are now echoing.
"It's not worth losing your life over a simple little fish," said Keiler.
"Please do your research, watch the weather, and be safe," said Peterson.
The surviving men were evaluated by Twin Lakes Rescue and declined transport.
Published: 6:02 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2025
TWIN LAKES, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Rescue crews are searching for a man that went into the water in Twin Lakes.
It happened Thursday afternoon Jan. 30, on Lake Elizabeth.
The Twin Lakes Police Department says a 70-year-old man remains unaccounted for after an ATV broke through the water. Police say the ATV driver was on the ice and saw a puddle, but thought it was frozen enough to drive over. It was open water and the ATV sank.
The search was called off for the night at 8 p.m. and will resume Friday morning.
Police say two others who were also on the ATV but made it out of the water safely. They were evaluated by rescue crews and declined transport to the hospital.
Police are asking the public to avoid the area as crews continue their efforts.
The DNR has advised that the ice on lakes in our area is not safe, and it is not recommended for people to be on the ice at this time.