Southern Minnesota Man Dies After Fish House Explosion

Victim, explosion cause still under investigation

Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded

DODGE COUNTY, Minn. - A Southern Minnesota man died after a fish house exploded on Lake Pepin Saturday afternoon, according to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Scott Rose said the incident was reported at 12:17 p.m. Saturday in the area of Bay City, Wis., and Pepin, Wis. A fish house approximately 150 yards off the shoreline of Bay City, Wis., had exploded. The victim, identified as 48-year-old David Harsy of Kellogg, Minn., was the only person inside the fish house.

Harsy was transported to a local hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead a short time later. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation and the Dodge County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help to determine the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident.

The Sheriff's Office said it is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information about it to contact the Dodge County Sheriff's Office at (507) 635-6209. The Sheriff's Office is also asking people to check their trail cameras for any images or videos that may be relevant to the investigation.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Pepin County Sheriff's Office, Bay City Fire Department, Pepin Fire Department, Lake City Ambulance, Mayo Clinic Health System Lake City, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.