ONTONAGON — The body of a kayaker missing since July 2023 was recovered along Lake Superior on Sunday.

Dale Venema, 74, had set out kayaking near the Firesteel River area of Ontonagon Township on July 14 of last year, when his kayak was found overturned in the lake later that day.

A Michigan State Police search lasting several days followed Venema being reported missing but there were no results.

On Sunday, a male body was found along Lake Superior in Ontonagon Township. According to a news release, the Ontonagon County medical examiner confirmed on Tuesday that the body found was Venema.

Organizations assisting in the recovery included the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department, the Ontonagon County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ontonagon County Medical Examiner’s Office, Negaunee Regional Communication Center, United States Coast Guard, U.S. Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan State Police Marine Services Unit, Bruce’s Legacy Search and Recovery of Wisconsin, the Ontonagon harbor master and village of Ontonagon employees.

The MSP thanked residents of and visitors to Ontonagon who provided information helping lead to the recovery.