CLEAR LAKE — Authorities have identified the Northern Iowa man who died following a boating collision on Clear Lake Thursday morning.
Dennis Ritter, 59, of Meservey, died from injuries suffered when another boat struck his fishing boat from behind at approximately 8:30 a.m. on July 30, 2026.
Ritter and his passenger, Billy Carlton, 68, of Dows, were fishing in the Little Lake portion of Clear Lake aboard Ritter’s 16-foot Alumacraft fishing boat. Authorities said the boat was trolling when it was struck from behind by an Excel flat-bottom boat operated by Logen Conklin, 35, of Muscatine.
Ritter and Carlton were transported to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, where Ritter was pronounced dead.
Carlton was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital Friday.
Passengers aboard the other boat were not injured. Authorities said alcohol has been eliminated as a contributing factor in the collision.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officers responded to the scene along with the Ventura and Clear Lake fire departments, Clear Lake Police Department and Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office.