Authorities have identified a 39-year-old Pinconning area fisherman whose body was recovered from Saginaw Bay as Michael Drouse. He was reported overdue from his fishing trip late Tuesday afternoon. A U.S. Coast Guard boat crew found Drouse about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, a mile off shore from the Pinconning River, after an all-night search. Personnel from the Coast Guard's Station Saginaw River were assisted by helicopters from the Coast Guard's Detroit and Traverse City air stations.
Family members said Drouse went fishing on the Bay ice off Pinconning Park on a 4-wheeler. The Coast Guard says shifting winds and warm temperatures have made the Saginaw Bay ice extremely dangerous and people should not venture onto the ice.