Sessions Lake closed as search for missing kayaker continues

Marine crews from the Ionia County Sheriff's Office have been searching Sessions Lake for a drowning victim missing since Sunday.

Wednesday evening, they closed public access to the lake to improve those efforts.

"Sessions Lake is very deep and has numerous features that have hampered the recovery to date," the sheriff's office explained in their update.

The kayaker hasn't been seen since July 14 around 7 p.m.

Ionia County officials said they got a 911 call saying a Grand Rapids man in his mid-30s flipped into the water and didn't come back up.

Sessions Lake is no-wake zone, and the kayaker's girlfriend told police they'd taken off their life jackets to improve their comfort.

To help with their search the Ionia Recreation Area has restricted access to the park, including closing the beach and lake.

Crews worked until it was too dark to see, but couldn't find him. The search has continued through the week, and crews say it will be easier for them to contend with conditions of the lake without non-search-and-recovery personnel in the water.

With the lake closed some families that are camping are looking for other things to do. Josh MacGraw, whose family is visiting from Wisconsin, said, “They were a little disappointed that we can't go out and do a little bit more fishing and go out to the beach, possibly rent some kayaks out there.”

"We appreciate everyone’s patience and assistance while we continue to search for the missing subject," said the sheriff department's post.

The sheriff's department has not said when the search will end or when the lake will reopen.

Follow FOX 17: Facebook - X (formerly Twitter) - Instagram - YouTube