Three people were pulled to safety early Tuesday after their 16-foot fishing boat capsized roughly three miles off the western shore of Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota authorities said, in an incident that underlined the persistent dangers facing recreational boaters on the state's inland waters.

The trio — two adults and one youth — were discovered clinging to the overturned hull and a cooler used as an improvised floatation device about 45 minutes after the boat went down, according to a statement from the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office. All three were evaluated by emergency medical personnel for hypothermia and minor injuries and were released from a nearby hospital later that day. “Quick calls from other boaters and fast action by our deputies and DNR wardens made the difference,” a sheriff’s office spokesperson said.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wardens and county rescue crews responded after a mayday call at 9:12 a.m. The DNR credited volunteer lake association boats and a nearby charter operator for spotting the overturned vessel. Weather service data for the region showed a rapid wind shift that morning with gusts reported between 25 and 35 mph; lake reports described choppy conditions with short, steep waves that can overturn small boats.

While no deaths occurred in this case, the episode fits a broader pattern: the U.S. Coast Guard and state authorities repeatedly point to capsizing and falls overboard as leading causes of recreational boating fatalities. In recent years, annual deaths from recreational boating have typically ranged in the mid-hundreds nationwide, and authorities say a majority of victims were not wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. “Life jackets are the single most effective safety measure,” Minnesota DNR Sgt. Emily Hartman said. “Wearing them changes outcomes.”

Beyond immediate safety concerns, incidents like Tuesday’s carry fiscal implications. Recreational fishing and boating contribute more than $1 billion annually to Minnesota’s economy through tourism, equipment sales and charter services, state economists estimate, meaning perceptions of safety can affect local businesses that rely on steady angling traffic. Charter captains and marina operators also face higher insurance premiums and potential liability costs after high-profile rescues or fatalities, analysts say.

Public costs are substantial as well. Search-and-rescue missions involve time, vessels, aircraft and personnel; even modest lake rescues can cost thousands of dollars in fuel, equipment wear and emergency medical response. Much of that burden falls on county budgets and state agencies, and volunteer organizations shoulder significant operational risk and expense.

Policy debates expected in the Minnesota Legislature this fall may pick up steam in the wake of the incident. Proposals under consideration in recent sessions have included mandatory life-jacket use for certain age groups, expanded funding for real-time weather-warning systems on popular lakes and grants to upgrade volunteer rescue equipment. Advocates point to shifting weather patterns and a post-pandemic uptick in boating activity as drivers of heightened risk. “We’re seeing more people on the water and more volatile weather events,” said Sarah Lindholm, director of a regional boating safety coalition. “Investment in prevention pays off both in lives saved and in protecting the local economy.”

For the three rescued anglers, the event ended without tragedy. State wardens urged boaters to file float plans, monitor forecasts closely and carry personal flotation devices that fit. As officials complete their investigation into the capsizing’s cause, local leaders say the episode will likely renew attention to enforcement and public education on lake safety.