The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred in St. Tammany Parish on Sept. 22.

The body of Ricky Hodgson, 72, of Pearl River, was recovered from Lake Pontchartrain around 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 22.

Agents learned that Hodgson and another passenger on the boat were recreationally trawling for shrimp in Lake Pontchartrain near the twinspans when their trawl was stuck around midnight.  Hodgson and the other boater tried to get the trawl unstuck when the boat capsized putting both men into the water without wearing personal flotation devices.

The other boater survived the incident while Hodgson passed away after entering the water.

LDWF will be the lead investigative agency for this boating fatality.  Hodgson’s body was turned over to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office to determine an official cause of death.

Hodgson is the 21st boating fatality of 2022 according to the LDWF. In 2021, there were 27 boating fatalities. A reminder for people to wear their personal flotation devices when they are out on the water.

Last month, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks reported 27 tickets were issued for personal floating device violations.