POLSON - A 34-year-old Polson man drowned Sunday in Flathead Lake.
Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said Michael John Chernikoff died near Bird Island.
At around 3:30 p.m., Chernikoff got out of the boat he was riding in and swam to the island, however, on the swim back, he had problems in the water.
Bell said people in another boat stopped to help and pulled Chernikoff aboard. They found he was not breathing and had no heartbeat.
Lake County Search and Rescue and Lake County deputies responded with medical staff on board.
Chernikoff's body was sent to the Montana State Crime Lab for an autopsy.
