Lake Iliamna is the largest freshwater lake in Alaska and it’s full of secrets. There is reportedly a large white monster that has been seen by Alaskans for generations. This huge lake freezes every winter and there are a number of seals that are present in the spring and disappear in the winter, possibly hiding in an underwater lair that the monster keeps. Some say it’s a sturgeon or a sleeper shark that has adapted to the freshwater lake and grows larger and larger as it gets more ancient. There are a lot of theories, but one thing is certain: Lake Iliamna is sparkling and vast, meaning a day searching for the monster is sure to be a day enjoying a unique and beautiful place in southwestern Alaska.

Lake Iliamna is the largest body of freshwater in Alaska and eighth largest in the U.S. It is so vast, it could cover the entirety of the Hoover Dam.
Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership | Flickr
A mysterious creature has been spotted in the lake for many, many years. Recent siting have confirmed that people are still seeing something large, light coloured, and unexplainable.
Kyle Cheung | Flickr
Mt. Iliamna watches over the lake, 1,012.5 square miles of total surface area of sparkling clear water where the monster could be hiding.
chuck t | Flickr

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The local fishing village Iliamna and the surrounding area have traditionally been the territory of the Dena'ina people who have heard reports of the monster since time immemorial as the monster "Gonakadet."
chuck t | Flickr
The monster is depicted as a large, water-dwelling animal with a head and tail similar to that of a wolf, and a body like an orca.
The existence of the Lake Iliamna monster is an Alaskan folk tale, conspiracy theory, traditional belief or scientific truth depending on whom you ask. The monster is referred to as "Illie" by locals.
Vlad Karpinskiy | Flickr
Beach spawning salmon in Lake Iliamna fill the lake. It's possible a fish without a natural predator keeps eating the abundant salmon and grows larger and larger over time.
Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership | Flickr
In the past, scientists have hypothesised that the monster was a white sturgeon that had grown to a giant size in the deep lake. Some say it's a sleeper shark. No one knows what lurks in the dark of the lake.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife | Flickr

Learn more about the mysteries of Lake Iliamna here.

Have you been to Lake Iliamna? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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