Woman’s body found floating in Flathead Lake near Bigfork

A woman’s body was pulled out of Flathead Lake near Bigfork on Wednesday after being discovered by a wake surfing class.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a body floating in the water roughly half a mile from the Wayfarer’s Unit of Flathead Lake State Park about 11:30 a.m., May 27. Responding deputies and search and rescue team members located the unidentified woman’s body and sent it to the Montana State Crime Lab.  

“We’re doing investigations and have to wait for cause and manner of death from Montana State Crime Lab,” said Sheriff Brian Heino. “Initial Investigation, we don’t have any specifics on cause or manner at this point.” 

Heino said there does not appear to be a connection to any missing persons reports in the region. 

Zach Wenzel, who owns and operates Blue Cat Boat Rentals in Bigfork, said the body was discovered by a family taking a wake surf lesson with the outfitter. A Blue Cat employee was also on the boat instructing the lesson. 

“It was our first surf lesson of the year, and about an hour into it, they went to switch from having an adult surfing,” Wenzel said. “One of the kids got in the water, and about 30 feet away they saw this body floating, which I’m sure was about as traumatizing as it could be.” 

The employee called Wenzel, who told everyone to get back on the boat and return to the dock. He called the Sheriff’s Office and took two of the deputies out on his boat to locate the body again before search and rescue crews retrieved it an hour later.  

“She was in full hiking clothes,” said Wenzel. “My experience of sending people out on boats all summer long, I didn't think she was in boating attire at all. I guess that she might have fallen in somewhere. It didn't seem like she was planning on going on the lake that day.” 

Wenzel said the discovery of the body came as a shock to everyone, including the authorities, especially given the lack of a corresponding missing persons report.  

“They thought it was just kind of like a log or something, not a person,” Wenzel said. “They said that every time they get a call, if there's someone floating out there, 99% of the time it’s something else. So we were not prepared for that either.” 

Wayfarers Unit is a popular state park located near Bigfork on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake. The rocky shoreline and cliffs make the park a favorite destination for hikers, swimmers, boaters and photographers.  

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or eericksen@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.