Man’s body found in Lake Michigan near Muskegon

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — Searchers say they have recovered the body of a man who went missing in Lake Michigan Thursday.

The 26-year-old man’s body was found around 10:30 a.m. Friday about 2 miles offshore in about 80 feet of water, the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office said. His name was not released Friday and authorities did not say where he was from.

Crews were called about 10:30 a.m. Thursday after the man fell off a fishing boat and soon vanished into the water about 2 miles from the Muskegon channel, the sheriff’s office said.

The search was underway for hours Thursday before wind and waves forced it to pause, authorities say. Crews got back to work Friday morning.

The sheriff’s office; U.S. Coast Guard; Norton Shores, Muskegon, Muskegon Township and North Muskegon fire departments; Norton Shores and Muskegon police; and Michigan Department of Natural Resources all aided in the search.

Coast Guard Master Chief Kyle Thomas stressed the importance of water safety.

“…The water temperature is typically much colder than air temperature this time of year, so we just encourage everyone to please wear your personal flotation device,” he told News 8 Thursday.

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