A man is able to safety after his boat flipped over in the Chippewa River in Eau Claire Friday afternoon.

The Eau Claire Fire Department says the man in his 50’s was going fishing near the Hobbs boat landing. Battalion Chief Dave Okas says the man threw his anchor out, it appears it caught on a rock and flipped the boat over.

Okas says the man was able to swim to shore on the UW-Eau Claire campus side of the river. With the help of a police officer, the man walked up a steep hill to an ambulance. Okas says the fisherman was cold, but not hurt. He says the man was very grateful for the help from the police and fire department. Paramedics gave the man a ride back to his truck at the boat landing after he warmed up in the ambulance.

Okas says the fisherman was wearing a life-jacket and that could've saved his life.

"You never know how strong a swimmer you are until you're in a situation (like that) and it's very easy to panic in those situations and a life jacket is going to keep you afloat and let you get to the side," Okas says. "It's a must. Not only is it the law, but it's a must to have a life jacket on especially as the conditions get more and more treacherous."

Okas says the boat sank near the Hobbs boat landing and that it’ll be the man’s responsibility to get it out of the river. He says it’s too dangerous right now, but when the water level goes down the fire department can help him get it out.

"We would love to have people stay off the river right now, but we all know spring is good fishing time and people are going to venture out. The word of the moment is be careful and be safe out there," Okas says.

City crews were also out near the boat landing on Friday afternoon to block portions of the bike trail that typically end up underwater. They say they expect the river to rise even more this weekend.