An ice climber, identified as James Bake of Gaylord, Michigan, age 31, fell into Lake Superior on the evening of February 7, 2023, while climbing in the Miners Castle area of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Multiple agencies responded that evening and coordinated search efforts continued throughout the week as conditions allowed. On Sunday, February 12, 2023, weather and wave conditions on Lake Superior facilitated a focused search of the area using an unmanned aerial vehicle operated by an Alger Country Sheriff’s Department pilot. Mr. Bake’s body was located underwater approximately 30 yards offshore. The recovery operation concluded in the late evening of February 12, 2023.

The Michigan State Police Dive Team conducted the recovery with the U.S. Coast Guard providing an Ice Rescue Team from Station Marquette, Michigan to help ensure the safety of the recovery team members. Participating agency support during this search included the Alger County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Superior High Angle Professionals (SHARP) rope rescue team, and the National Park Service.

“Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore staff are saddened by this loss,” stated Superintendent David Horne, “and our entire community extends sincere condolences to Mr. Bake’s family and friends.”

Horne spoke again at the Alger County Commission meeting on Monday, Feb. 13, complementing the county for the use of a drone in locating Bake.

“The drone was instrumental in finding James,” Horne said. “Without it we couldn’t have done it.”

According to a Facebook post by Bake’s wife Lauren, the GoFundMe to help with extra costs for the search and rescue was canceled on Monday. While the fundraiser will be returned, donations in James’s name are requested to go to Bruce’s Legacy — a search and rescue team out of Wisconsin.