An angler apparently drowned after falling from a boat into a lake within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, authorities said Tuesday.

The incident occurred about 2:20 p.m. Monday on the north arm of Trout Lake, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office said.

His fishing boat companions and other people nearby pulled the man from the water and onto shore, where they performed CPR, the Sheriff's Office said.

Emergency medical personnel arrived and took over lifesaving efforts, but they were unsuccessful, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The 51-year-old man was from Morrison County. His identity was not released.

Pointing out that the man did not have on a life jacket, a Sheriff's Office statement said, "that despite warmer air temperatures, water temperatures are remaining quite cold. Therefore, a personal flotation device is critical to aid in surviving any unfortunate water related incidents at this, or any time of the year."

Paul Walsh