Solo canoeist found dead during BWCA trip

ELY, Minn. (Northern News Now) – A canoeist was found dead after a solo camping trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, around 5 p.m. Friday, other BWCA conservation officers called 911 to report a capsized and partially submerged canoe with a body near Lake Agnes.

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

According to Ham’s family, he was alone on a camping trip in the BWCA.

A life jacket was found at the scene of the accident, but the victim was not wearing it.

With the opening of Minnesota’s fishing season this weekend, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Rescue Squad wants to remind everyone to wear their life jackets and enjoy their favorite water activities while on the water this summer.

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

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