A man swimming and boating with friends in a lake just northwest of the Twin Cities over the weekend has drowned, authorities said Sunday.

The incident occurred Saturday evening on Lake Fremont in Zimmerman, according to the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office.

The victim was identified as Joshua Roepke, 23, of Albany, Minn.

Friends told authorities that they lost sight of Roepke shortly after 6 p.m. while he was swimming. Sheriff's Office divers arrived and recovered his body about two hours later in 7 feet of water.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482