MAUMEE, Ohio — A 68-year-old West Virginia man died from drowning while fishing in the Maumee River Monday, according to the Lucas County Coroner's Office.
His name was Mark Doll, and like many down by the river during this time of year, he had traveled to Maumee for the walleye run.
But, he had a cardiac episode while fishing at about 6:45 p.m. and drowned, the coroner's office said.
Daniel Matthewson, one of many who put dollars into a collection fund for Doll's family and for funeral expenses at Maumee Tackle, a shop Doll used to frequent.
"Donations for the family, prayers," Matthewson, a Lima resident, said.
Mario Campos, owner of Maumee Tackle, declined to speak on camera to respect the privacy of Doll's family and said raising a little money was the least he could do for someone he considered a friend.
The impact of Doll's death has spread throughout the local fishing community.
"We were doing some research about the area, we hadn't been here to fish before, but saw that that did happen and our condolences go to the family," said Jack Carter, a fisherman from Mount Vernon visiting the area.
Anglers like Carter and Matthewson urge anyone on the river to practice safety while on or near the water.
"I came up here with a good group of friends and I'm going to try to stay safe in close proximity to them," Carter said.
Matthewson advised similar precautions.
"Don't get in too deep, it's just fishing," he said. "Those fish aren't going anywhere until you get them out of there, so take your time, be careful, go with a group. You want to go home to your family. Stay safe."