RedactedNarrative: On the afternoon of January 2, 2021, a single vessel property damage only incident occurred on Douglas Lake in Jefferson County.  OPERATOR 1 and his father/passenger were fishing downstream from the Walters Bridge Access Area.  The two had been drifting and jigging for walleye.  At approximately 16:00 hrs, OPERATOR 1 started his 1976 16' Lowe Jon boat and motored upstream.  OPERATOR 1 stated he was going approximately 10-20 mph but not full throttle. OPERATOR 1 stated in the vicinity of Point 18 he observed a small twig/branch sticking up from the water and turned tiller handle of motor to go around twig.  At this time his motor shaft struck a submerged object and his outboard was torn off the back of his vessel.  OPERATOR 1 stated he turned and watched his outboard sink in approximately 20' of water. OPERATOR 1 and father were towed back to their vehicle and trailer at Walters Bridge.
  
  The Mercury outboard motor was a clamp mount design and plywood spacer was present in bottom of hull.  The outboard did not have a safety chain or cable to transom.
  