Community Alert: Missing Ice Fisher Found Deceased in Annapolis River
Annapolis County District RCMP have confirmed that the second man who went missing while ice fishing near Belleisle, Nova Scotia, in March has been found deceased. The discovery was made along the shoreline of the Annapolis River on May 22, 2026.
The original incident occurred on March 10, 2026, when two men, ages 73 and 77, failed to return from an ice fishing outing near Little Brook Lane, Belleisle. One of the men was located deceased on March 11. The remains found on May 22 have now been confirmed by the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to be those of the second missing ice fisher.
Official Incident Details
Based on information released by the RCMP in Nova Scotia, the sequence of events is as follows:
- March 10, 2026 – Approximately 11:30 p.m.: Annapolis District RCMP and the Annapolis Royal Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of two men, aged 73 and 77, who had not returned from ice fishing near Little Brook Ln., Belleisle.
- March 11, 2026: One of the missing ice fishers was located deceased following search efforts in the area.
- May 22, 2026: Officers responded to a report of a body discovered along the shore of the Annapolis River near Belleisle.
- After involvement from the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service, the remains were formally identified as those of the second man who had gone missing in March.
The RCMP have acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the extensive support provided during both the initial search and the subsequent recovery efforts. Agencies and organizations involved included:
- Annapolis County District RCMP
- Annapolis Royal Volunteer Fire Department
- Bridgetown Volunteer Fire Department
- Annapolis County Ground Search and Rescue
- Digby Ground Search and Rescue
- Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA)
- Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC)
- Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
The RCMP note that their thoughts are with the families and loved ones of both men following this tragic outcome. The official file number associated with this incident is 2026-318014.
CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective
From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident is a sobering reminder that community safety in Nova Scotia is not limited to crime alone. Outdoor activities such as ice fishing, which are common across many Canadian communities, can become life-threatening when ice or weather conditions change unexpectedly. While this tragedy unfolded in rural Annapolis County, similar risks exist near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas across the province, including communities like Fisher’s Grant in Nova Scotia, where local safety trends and risk factors are closely monitored.
When planning activities on frozen waterways, residents should monitor local weather and ice condition advisories, avoid going out alone or late at night, ensure someone knows their route and expected return time, and carry safety equipment such as flotation aids and communication devices. Quick reporting of overdue travellers, as occurred in this case, gives emergency responders and search and rescue teams the best chance to intervene when time is critical. Our mission at CrimeCanada.ca is to support safer decisions in every community by combining official incident data with broader safety awareness.
Official Source & Community Safety
This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the nova-scotia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.
Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.