Man drowns on Swan Lake in Itasca County

A 52-year-old Pengilly man drowned on Swan Lake in rural Itasca County on Monday, July 3. According to the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, 911 dispatch received a call at approximately 9:53 a.m. on a report of what appeared to be an unmanned boat circling on the north end of Swan Lake. The caller said they had seen the boat earlier with a male in the boat with a dog.

According to authorities, James Kleffman left home around 8:00 a.m. to go fishing with his dog. Deputies responded to the scene and located the boat with the dog still inside.

Authorities searched the water for Kleffman, and at approximately 7:30 p.m., found his body in 38 feet of water.

Itasca County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Itasca County Search & Rescue, Itasca County Dive Team, Minnesota DNR, Greenway Fire and Nashwauk Ambulance.