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The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.
Published December 17, 2025
Missing fisherman found safe after search
LAKE OF THE OZARKS – Family and friends breathed a huge sigh of relief after a missing fisherman was found safe.
Last Tuesday (December 9) at approximately 6:07 p.m., the Gravois Fire Protection District (GFPD) was dispatched to the Gravois Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks near the eight Mile Marker to assist the Missouri State Highway Patrol with locating an elderly fisherman who was reported overdue.
GFPD responded with its fire boat and immediately requested additional mutual-aid support from the Rocky Mount Fire Protection District and the Lake Ozark Fire Protection District. Each deployed their fire boats to assist in searching the shoreline and channel.
A separate unit responded to the missing individual’s residence to gather further information and assist in search efforts.
A command post was established at the Gravois Public Access with the support of the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District’s mobile command unit.
A thermal-equipped drone was deployed to search low-water and shallow areas and a Missouri State Highway Patrol helicopter responded to provide aerial coverage of the search area.
With the strong cooperation of multiple mutual-aid partners, a large portion of the Gravois Arm was searched. These combined efforts significantly accelerated the search and ultimately contributed to the safe discovery of the missing individual.
At approximately 7:45 p.m. units on scene notified Command that the missing person had made contact with his family and providing an address for his location.
MID-MO Ambulance responded to the Public Access to stand by for medical evaluation.
Crews located the individual shortly afterward and confirmed that he required no medical attention. He was transported home by the Lake Ozark Fire Boat, while the Missouri State Highway Patrol recovered and transported his vessel.
The answer to what happened was simple: According to information gathered on scene, the fisherman experienced a mechanical failure when his primary motor would not start.
He attempted to return using his trolling motor but wind conditions pushed him across the arm, leading him to a dock on the opposite shoreline.
Without a cell phone, he sought help from nearby homeowners who provided shelter and assisted him in contacting his family.
Responding to the search was:
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