Search under way for missing man on Pine Lake

A report of a possible missing person which came into the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 3 p.m., Monday, Nov. 7, initiated an investigation for a 59-year-old Duluth man on Pine Lake off of the Arrowhead Trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, north of Hovland, Minn.

Sheriff’s Office deputies and Cook County Search & Rescue located a partially submerged canoe registered to the missing man, Michael Raymond Hickey, of Duluth, as well as paddles and personal effects believed to be those of the man.

“The search victim is a long-time user of the area who has been fishing Pine Lake for many years,” said Sheriff Pat Eliasen.

“Colleagues reported him missing when he failed to attend work Monday and attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. He left for Pine Lake on Friday, Nov. 4, and was supposed to return Sunday.”

Pine Lake is located east of McFarland Lake in the BWCA. The missing man’s truck was located at the McFarland Lake boat landing.
 “Darkness hampered the search into Monday evening, but resumed at daybreak today,” said Sheriff Eliasen. “This is an ongoing investigation; more information will be released when it is available."