The body of a missing fisherman was recovered near shore on Lake Michigan Monday afternoon.

Indiana Conservation Officer Tyler Brock said the man was identified as Michael Barnes, 67, of Valparaiso.

Barnes had gone underwater about 60 yards from shore near Burns Waterway while he was attempting to retrieve a boat, which had drifted from a beach area as he fished from the shore, Brock said.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers used an unmanned remotely operated vehicle equipped with sonar and video to locate Barnes at 1:40 p.m., nearly two hours after Porter County Central Communications received a 911 call reporting the incident.Divers from the Portage Fire Department water rescue unit retrieved Barnes’ body. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Brock said.

Multiple private fishing boats helped in the search, joined by an Indiana Dunes National Park ranger who boarded one of the boats and relayed information to the U.S. Coast Guard and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department marine and aviation units as well as state conservation officers, Brock said.

Other assisting agencies included the Portage Police Department; Porter, Burns Harbor and Ogden Dunes fire departments; Porter County and Hobart dive teams; Porter County Coroner’s Office; and chaplains from the Portage Police Department and Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement.

“Even though we may have some 80-degree days this spring, the cold water can incapacitate a person’s swimming ability,” said Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project Executive Director of Public Relations and Project Management Dave Benjamin.

The water temperature is likely in the mid-50s now, he said.

“Sudden immersion in cold water can cause a hyperventilation gasp reflex. People must first try to control their breathing before attempting to swim or exit the water,” Benjamin said.

The Portage Fire Department recently ordered an inflatable boat for its water rescue team, a purchase made urgent because the team’s 24-foot fire boat is being refurbished by a U.S. Coast Guard grant. The inflatable boat and its motors were shipped but haven’t arrived yet, fire Chief Chris Crail said.

The Portage Port Authority purchased the inflatable boat. Both boats will be based at the Portage Marina.

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.