Wade Fisherman Drowns in Blackfoot River at Johnsrud Park

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - One man is dead after a drowning incident that occurred on Monday morning on the Blackfoot River near Johnsrud Park.

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jeannette Smith issued a press release to local media on Monday evening outlining the fatal incident and the efforts to rescue the victim.

An Unidentified Fisherman Drowned near Johnsrud Park on the Blackfoot River

Just before 11:00 a.m. Missoula County Sheriff’s Deputies were called out to Johnsrud Park on the Blackfoot River where a male who had been wade fishing was reported to be in distress and had gone under the water and had not resurfaced.

Wade Fishing is a style of fishing where the angler stands in the moving water.

Sheriff's Spokesperson Jeannette Smith Provided Details of the Incident

Missoula County Search and Rescue was dispatched to the scene where their personnel located the unidentified male, and following that, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team recovered the male’s body.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Smith thanked all the agencies that responded so quickly to the scene of the incident, including Missoula County Search and Rescue, Life Flight, the Missoula City Fire Department, Missoula Rural Fire Department, Greenbush Potomac Volunteer Fire Department, and Missoula Emergency Services.

The name of the victim has not yet been released.