Community Safety Alert: Search Ongoing for Missing Ice Fisher in Belleisle, Annapolis County

Active Search Following Ice Fishing Incident in Annapolis County

A coordinated search operation is underway in Belleisle, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, after two elderly men failed to return from an ice fishing outing near Little Brook Lane. One of the two missing ice fishers has been located deceased, and the search continues for the second man.

The incident was reported late on March 10, 2026, when the men, aged 73 and 77, did not return as expected. Multiple emergency response agencies are now involved in extensive air and ground searches. Authorities are urging residents to stay away from the immediate search area and to avoid going onto the ice in the region.

Official Incident Details

According to information released by the Annapolis District RCMP, the following key details are confirmed:

• On March 10, 2026, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Annapolis District RCMP and local fire services responded to a report of two missing ice fishers in the Belleisle area, near Little Brook Lane.
• The missing individuals are two men, aged 73 and 77, who had been ice fishing and did not return at the expected time.
• Overnight, RCMP remotely piloted aircraft system operators and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre carried out aerial search operations over the area.
• At the same time, fire services conducted search efforts in the water around the suspected fishing area.
• Additional resources were activated, including:
  • Annapolis County Ground Search and Rescue
  • Digby Ground Search and Rescue
  • The Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA)
  • Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
• On the afternoon of March 11, 2026, one of the missing men was found and confirmed deceased.
• The search remains active for the second missing man, with air, ground, and water resources continuing operations.
• Residents and visitors are explicitly asked to avoid the immediate search area and to stay off the ice while conditions remain unstable and search activities are underway.
• RCMP file number associated with this incident is 2026-318014.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident is a serious reminder of how quickly ice conditions can become life-threatening in Nova Scotia, especially for older adults and anyone engaging in winter recreation. Even experienced fishers and local residents can be caught off guard by changing temperatures, currents, and hidden weak spots in lake or river ice.

Community safety in cases like this depends on both personal preparation and collective awareness. Before going onto the ice, residents should check local ice safety advisories, avoid travelling alone, inform someone of their plans and expected return time, carry safety gear such as ice picks and flotation aids, and be prepared to turn back if conditions appear uncertain. During active search and rescue operations, the most important contribution the public can make is to keep a safe distance, follow directions from RCMP and emergency responders, and stay off the ice so that resources can focus entirely on the ongoing search. By respecting safety guidance and sharing these lessons within the community, Nova Scotians can help prevent future tragedies and support those affected by this event.

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.