The search for a 22-year-old fisherman who went missing after his canoe sank in Chemainus Lake has ended in tragedy.

Police confirmed a body has been recovered from the lake after a canoe carrying two men overturned earlier in the day.

First responders were called to the lake at around 10:30 a.m. for a report of two men in the water.

One of the fishermen, another 22-year-old man from Nanaimo, made it to shore and was treated at the scene..

The other 22-year-old man was not seen for several hours after the boat sank.

His family was on scene assisting with search efforts.

Crews from North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, Chemainus Fire and Cowichan Valley Search and Rescue were dispatched to try to locate the missing man.

Paramedics and Cowichan Valley Victim Services also attended.