Lake County Search and Rescue

11/22/2025

We spend a lot of time on/near Wildhorse Island for rescues. It’s interesting to learn some of the history and characters that called it home.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1443484437782618&set=a.504760831654988&type=3

📷 The Philosopher King of Wild Horse Island: Herman Schnitzmeyer nearly starved during the winter of 1913-14 as a homesteader on Flathead Lake's Wild Horse Island, but went on to capture a pivotal moment in Montana history through his camera lens.

A skilled photographer with a philosophical bent, Schnitzmeyer documented everything from steamboats to threshing crews, Montana's first airplane flight to the groundbreaking of Kerr Dam. His work captures "a dynamic turning point in western Montana's culture and economy."

Despite his talent, Schnitzmeyer died penniless in 1939. Bigfork historian Denny Kellogg has since collected 800-900 items related to the forgotten photographer and placed a proper headstone on his grave.

Read the fascinating full story: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/11/the-philosopher-king-of-wild-horse-island/

11/09/2025

1. Stay with your vehicle
2. Be prepared to spend a couple of nights on your own. The emergency gear and some snacks will not take up that much room.
3. spot or Garmin in-reach will bring us right to you. iPhone 15 and beyond does have some satellite connectivity for emergency texting.
4. Practice with your gear before heading out. Build a fire, set up shelter.
5. Take water.
6. Take any prescription meds with you.
7. Leave a detailed adventure plan with friends or family.

In the comments below please add in any other helpful tips for back country adventurers. We have alot of new folks following our page and some may even be new to our area. Every bit of information they can take away will help them and help us find them quicker!

rn https://www.facebook.com/share/177LWPgRF4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A hunter in Shoshone County died on Nov. 6 while attempting to hike out of the backcountry after two vehicles, one a truck and the other an ATV, got stuck in the snow.

11/04/2025

Yesterday. Some locals headed over to Wildhorse Island to hike. When they got to shore the boat became swamped by waves. They attempted to bail out the water but realized it was a lost cause. A Good Samaritan called 911. SAR was dispatched from Polson however we now have another resource for water rescue on the lake! Chief Cliff VFD has acquired a boat and was able to launch from Big Arm SP and get to these folks! Thanks CCVFD!

11/03/2025

Check out our team leader profiles on the website!

10/29/2025

LC SAR high angle rescue team (ropes) Polson Rural Fire Dept and Polson Ambulance conducted training for different rescue scenarios last night at the SKQ dam. Thanks to all involved and our hosts from Energy Keepers dam operations!

10/26/2025

16 members of Lake County SAR and 2 members of Powell County SAR completed the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) provided by Longleaf Wilderness Medicine of Sandpoint, ID. Thank you to all the SAR volunteers giving up your weekend to take this class. One more tool for the toolbox!

Also special thank you to our hosts at the Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch in Mission! The classroom, the kitchen, the ranch areas for inside /outside rescue scenarios! Wow such a great facility for us to be able to use!

And to our wonderful instructors Katie and Jason from Longleaf Wilderness Medicine!

Cold, some rain, some snow, and some sideways rain to make the course as realistic as possible!🤣

09/30/2025

ALERT turns 50! Happy Birthday!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Fcc5VeRRe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/25/2025

SAR boats are off water but not put away just yet. So calls for assistance on the lake please expect about an hour delay for transport to ramp and launch.

09/25/2025

Recovered today. RIP James. And may your family know peace now as well.

https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2025/sep/24/body-of-wyoming-man-recovered-from-flathead-lake/?fbclid=IwZnRzaANBZNZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjqJKSEFwhfwqxy96WywYm_kIptGEycGkh8h_6HD3HqBzNBoKVkwn5-uZujX_aem_xjNqg7Mq4Vl4Bi_jS0cQeg

Search crews on Wednesday recovered the body of a Wyoming man who went missing in Flathead Lake earlier this summer.

09/20/2025

10 Lake County SAR members succesfully completed the OSACO seminar. Recommend for all SAR teams!

OSACO team members recently delivered an effective interview training course, based on the PEACE model, in Montana. The training was primarily for members of local Lakes County Search and Rescue (SAR) who are utilizing , our AI-powered avatar training platform, to expand and strengthen thei...

09/18/2025

Thank you Adam and Total Automotive staff! Vehicle and all labor costs donated to SAR!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AfHw99qKj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/10/2025

Head to Murdoch’s in Polson and don’t forget to round up for SAR! We’ve been selected as the Murdoch’s local charity for Sept and Oct. Thank you!