Watkins Fisherman, Cameron Mertens, 18, Drowns After Falling Off Kayak on Pleasant Lake Near Annandale

An 18-year-old man from Watkins, Minnesota, has died after falling from his kayak while fishing on Pleasant Lake in Corinna Township on Monday evening, according to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were dispatched to the lake at approximately 8:18 PM on June 1, 2026, following a report of a possible drowning. When they arrived at the public access and dock on the north side of the lake, they found an overturned kayak floating in the water.

Several people had been fishing in the area at the time, and witnesses were quick to speak with responding officers about what they had seen.

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According to witness statements gathered at the scene, the victim had been out on the water in his kayak, fishing roughly 75 to 100 yards from the dock.

At some point during the evening, he fell overboard. It is unclear from the information released by the sheriff’s office what exactly caused him to go into the water, and no further details surrounding the circumstances of the fall have been provided.

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Members of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office dive team were called to the scene and searched the lake. They located the victim’s body and recovered it from the water.

He has been officially identified as Cameron Mertens, 18 years old, a resident of Watkins, Minnesota. The case has been assigned incident control report number 26014714 by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

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The tragedy comes as warmer temperatures bring more Minnesotans out to the state’s lakes for recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, and boating.

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Kayaking is among the most popular warm-weather pursuits in the region, particularly for anglers who use smaller watercraft to access fishing spots that larger boats cannot easily reach.

Water safety advocates consistently emphasize the importance of wearing a life jacket while on the water, regardless of distance from shore or the perceived calm of the conditions.

A person can fall into the water unexpectedly at any time, and even strong swimmers can struggle to stay afloat in cold water or when caught off guard.

In Minnesota, state law requires that a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device be present on board any vessel for each person, though wearing one at all times significantly increases survival odds in an emergency.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office has not released information regarding whether Mertens was wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.

Pleasant Lake, located near Annandale in Wright County, is a popular recreational lake that draws residents and visitors throughout the summer season.

The public access on the north side of the lake, near where the incident occurred, is regularly used by anglers during the evening hours.

The sheriff’s office has indicated that no further details about the incident are expected to be released at this time. The investigation remains open under the case number provided.

The community of Watkins, a small city in Meeker County just west of Wright County, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the loss of one of its young residents. Cameron Mertens was 18 years old.