Red Lake Police Department: Missing Fishermen Update - Day 3

"Missing Fishermen Update day 3"

On today's update Wednesday, November 8th, the Red Lake Department of Public Safety did not have any success with locating the two missing fishermen. Flight operations were once again conducted by the Minnesota DNR and US Border Patrol in addition to a Citizen from Marshall County who volunteered to fly his personal aircraft.

Watercraft were also launched throughout the day and boat operators faced iced over conditions but managed to search a wide area between first and third bridge near the "Cut Off" and areas near where the fishermen were last believed to be seen. Following the watercraft search, the decision was made to no longer use boats due to the lake starting to freeze over. Boat operators consisted of the RLDPS, Leech Lake Tribal Police and Conservation Enforcement and several local community members with their own person watercrafts. The Lakes Area Dive Team and Beltrami County Sheriff's Department also assisted with open water operations.

Ground searches of shorelines were also performed by local community members near the "Cut Off" as well but unfortunately turned up nothing.

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED

On Thursday morning, RLDPS will be moving the Law Enforcement Command Center to a new location at third bridge road just southwest of the Cut Off for continued ground and shoreline searches. Once again the department is asking for volunteers and the Tribal Council has granted administrative leave for any employees wishing to assist in the searches. The Command Center will be set up at approximately 9:00 AM and all volunteers can start registering at 8:00 AM and are reminded to please dress in a manner that is consistent with the weather conditions.

SAFETY IS STRONGLY URGED!

Please remember that lake ice is still forming near shorelines and great discretion must be used when venturing on frozen shorelines and we ask that volunteers stay away from the open water until ice is properly formed and the lake is completely frozen over with an adequate amount of ice for traversing by vehicle.

The department also anticipates using aircraft, drones and cadaver dogs for ongoing searches and will continue to seek the public's help as needed.

RLDPS sincerely appreciates the ongoing assistance from the Red Lake Fire Department, Red Lake DNR and Roads Garage, FBI, Border Patrol, MN DNR, Beltrami County Sheriff's Department, Lakes Area Dive Team, Leech Lake Tribal Police and Conservation Enforcement and special thanks goes out to the Red Lake Tribal Council for support along with tribal programs and local community members who continue to provide food and drinks.