ONTONAGON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday, July 14, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the Michigan State Police Negaunee Regional Dispatch received a call about an upside-down kayak on Lake Superior in Ontonagon Township near the Firesteel River area.
A local resident had observed a kayaker paddling out onto the lake at approximately 1:00 p.m. earlier that day. The same resident later saw the kayak floating upside down.
Regional Dispatch contacted the U.S. Coast Guard at that time and they launched a boat to that location. Troopers from the MSP-Wakefield post were also dispatched to the area and started to assist with coordinating search efforts.
The missing kayaker is believed to be Dale Albert Venema, 74, of Ontonagon.
The Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan DNR, the U.S. Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Service, and the MSP Dive Team have all been assisting in the search.
The Ontonagon Harbor Master, Village of Ontonagon employees, and several residents have also aided in the search efforts.
The search continued throughout the weekend and remains ongoing.
