RedactedNarrative: Operator/Deceased used the bow-mounted electric trolling motor as he operated north from Mt. Simon Park boat landing.  He operated the boat directly across the Chippewa River channel to a shallow bay between a sandbar and the north shoreline.  Vessel 1 Passenger stated they attempted to bowfish the shallow bay for about one hour.  Operator/Deceased was the only person to operate the electric trolling motor that evening.  At about 9:15 pm, the men boated south over the shallow sandbar as they left the north bay and decided to fish the shallows at the south shoreline of the Chippewa River eat of the Mt. Simon Park boat landing.   Passenger then operated the flat bottom boat into the westward blowing winds while in the unprotected main channel of the Chippewa River.  Passenger described the winds as moderate and water condition as, not choppy or whitecaps, but rolling waves.  Meteorologist confirmed a sustained wind speed of 13 mph and a 22 mph gust from the southeast.   Passenger stated that he was standing toward the rear of the boat while the Deceased stood on the shooting platform at the front he boat.  Deceased was holding a pipe connected to the foot pedal control of the bow mounted electric trolling motor, no other boat traffic in the area.  Passenger stated he wasn't paying a lot of attention to what the Operator/Deceased was doing.  The bow lights and navigation lights were on as the boat operated in the evening darkness.  Passenger looked forward when Operator/Deceased yelled something.  Passenger looked toward the bow of the boat as the front of the boat dipped down.  Within a few seconds, water filled the boat and boat sank in the 44 degree water.  PFDs went down with the boat.  Operator/Deceased drowned near the submerged boat, Passenger swam to shore.
  