Scotland has the Loch Ness monster, also known as “Nessie”.But did you know that Alaska has the Illiamna Lake Monster, also known as “Illie”?Alaska Has How Many Lakes?Alaska has over 3 million unnamed natural lakes, and about 3,197 officially named lakes.Iliamna LakeThe largest lake in Alaska is Iliamna Lake, located in Southwest Alaska at the north end of the Alaska Peninsula, about 100 miles from Seldovia, Alaska.That’s a Lot of WaterIliamna Lake is 77 miles long, up to 22 miles wide and has a depth of 988 feet.Where Did the Lake Get Its Name?The name Iliamna comes from the inland Dena’ina Athabascan name “Nila Vena” which means “island’s lake”.How Does it Compare?While Iliamna Lake is the largest in Alaska, it’s the 3rd largest lake in the entire United States and the 24th in all of North America.The Illiamna Lake MonsterAlaska’s Tlinget people tell stories of a creature in the lake, and the Aleut people tell stories of a fish-like monster in the lake.Yes, You can Share this EditionWould your friends like to discover Alaska’s Illiamna Lake Monster?They will be so happy when you share this with them, that they will send you on an all - expenses paid Alaska Cruise… well, it could happen.Thanks for reading Anchorage Memories VIP Club Podcast! This post is public, so feel free to share it.Monster SightingsIn 1942, a bush pilot named Babe Alsworth and a man named Bill Hammersley were flying over the lake.Somewhere in the middle, Alsworth spotted something unusual.Flying lower, he noticed what appeared to be giant fish. Then flying even closer, both the men saw huge fish the color of dull aluminum, The heads of the fish were broad and blunt. The tails of the fish were moving side-to-side.Note: Whales move their tails up and down.The two flew even closer and spotted several dozen fish that the two described as looking like mini-submarines. The monster fish were about 20 feet long.An Encounter with the Illiamna Lake Monster?As the story goes, an unnamed man was trolling for the Illiamna Lake Monster.He used 5/16th stainless-steel cables for fishing line with number two tuna hooks, baited with caribou meat.The cables were tied off to the struts of his float plane. Then the man sat on one of his floats as his plane drifted over the lake.Suddenly, there was a massive jerk that knocked the man into the lake. The plane was then towed away by something in the water. The man was somehow able to make it back to shore.Later, the man recovered his float plane. He discovered that three of the steel cables were gone. The 9-inch tuna hooks on the cables that remained had been straightened out.Monster StoriesThere have been many stories of sightings and encounters over the years.In 1979, the Anchorage Daily News offered a $100 thousand dollar reward to anyone who could provide conclusive evidence that proved the existence of the Illiamna Lake monster.To date, the $100 thousand dollar reward has not been claimed. A White Sturgeon?Here is one possible explanation for the Illiamna Lake monster.White Sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America. At up to 20 feet in length, they can weigh over 1,500 pounds. And a White Sturgeon can live for over 100 years.And by the way, White Sturgeon are bottom dwellers. Because of that, sightings are rare. And remember, Illiamna Lake is around 988 feet deep.So, while the stories are fun to hear around the campfire, the monster may just be a species of White Sturgeon, a Pacific Sleeper shark. Or? You decide.From our North Stars (that’s you)From our Anchorage Spa Swimming Pool edition.Karen sent us this comment:“Dad became a member. I remember the smell of chlorine and the “fog” when you entered the room with the pool. I also remember wading in the “kiddies” pool.”Diana told us her story:“Great job, as always! I did start my lessons there but couldn't complete them because I was too afraid of the water. My dad had thrown me in Spenard Lake, and I sank to the bottom and didn't come back up. When they finally found me, they had to give me mouth-to-mouth. I've been afraid of the water ever since.”Anne has this memory:“When the spa opened, I started to save the $200. It took 3 years. When I had enough saved in 1956, I decided that it was too late because it was time for college.I did get to swim at the Spa when I tried to train without a coach to be on the swim team at Anchorage High.”Douglas sent this comment:“I learned how to swim there when I was about 6-7. I remember the chlorine taste of the water.”Gene set along this memory:“Comically, I nearly drowned during my high school class swimming lesson at the Spa in 1957, and never did learn to swim even though I joined the Navy in '61. But many great memories of splashing around in the warm water of the pool.”Connect with USWow, do you love a good monster story? (look who’s eating all the popcorn.)Illiamna Lake is a fascinating place in Alaska, with many great stories.Do ...
