Kayakers rescued on Sunday

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, along with Northern Lakes Fire and Timberlake Fire and Rescue, rescued two kayakers on Lake Pend Oreille on Sunday.

Two adult kayakers had crossed from the Bayview area to the east side of Lake Pend Oreille when one kayak capsized near the south shoreline, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Recreation Safety division.

The kayaker who overturned was wearing a lifejacket. The second kayaker was wearing waders and was not wearing a lifejacket.

Responding crews safely rescued both kayakers from the shoreline, Recreation Safety said. A citation was issued for failure to have a required personal flotation device on board.

At the time of the incident, the air temperature was about 40 degrees and the water temperature was about 34 degrees. 

"This incident is an important reminder that Lake Pend Oreille is not a safe destination for winter kayaking or long open-water crossings without proper training, experience, and cold-water safety equipment," Recreation Safety said. "Lifejackets and a sound-producing device are required on non-motorized vessels such as kayaks and canoes in the state of Idaho.