Body of missing fisherman found in Lake Okeechobee

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — The body of Nicolas Kayler, an Apopka man who fell out of his boat during a fishing tournament, was found this morning in Lake Okeechobee.

The discovery was made by a commercial vessel in the vicinity of the Clewiston water tower on the lake, according to a news release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Kayler and William Kisiah left a boat ramp on the Kissimmee River on a 21 foot Ranger Bass boat last week Thursday. The two encountered rough waters and struck a wave, during which Kayler was tossed from the boat.

Kisiah was able to make landfall and summon help, but days of searching turned up nothing until today.

“All of the members of the FWC want to express our sincere sympathies to the victims and families of the victims involved in this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” said the release.

The fishing tournament was cancelled after the accident.