OMRO — The body of a kayaker missing since late November was recovered Monday from the ice of Lake Butte des Mortes, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called out about 1:15 p.m. to Lake Butte des Morts in the Town of Omro for a report that a man’s body was discovered in the ice by spearfishermen, out in the middle of the lake.
The body has been positively identified as that of Michael Iriarte who was reported missing on Nov. 26, 2023 when he did not return from an outing in his kayak on Lake Butte des Morts.
Officials add that during the course of the recovery yesterday, the Leonard Point Boat Landing was used by responders as an entry point to the ice.
Due to the recovery efforts and the nature of the equipment needed, the integrity of the ice in this area has drastically degraded.
Fishermen choosing to venture onto the ice should use extreme caution in this area.
Assistance came from:
Omro Police Department
Omro Rushford Fire Department
United States Coast Guard
WI DNR Air/Aviation Program
WI DNR Warden Mike Neal
WI DNR Warden Jason Swaney
Keith Cormican from Bruce’s Legacy
Paid partnership
