Nearly 40 years ago a biologist was flying over Lake Illamna, Alaska. He spotted a creature in the water beneath him. He estimated its length at an astounding 25-30 feet long. He was able to estimate its length by using the shadow of his wings as a guide.

Sportsmen in villages along the coast of Lake Illamna have claimed to have seen a big snake-like creature moving along the surface of the lake. Tales of a lake monster or monsters have been told for hundreds of years. When white people moved into the area they began to report many similar things. After WWII, bush pilots began seeing things that were very similar to what the original peoples of the area had seen. These creatures were often up to 30 feet in length.

Over the years, people have tried to “fish” for this critter with no luck. Others have spent time and money, usually someone else’s, flying over the lake again with no result.

The animals of Lake Illamna are fish-like in appearance. Lengths of up to 40 have been reported. The color of the animal has ranged from dull aluminum to a dark brown.

The lake is so large it has been called an inland sea. Lake Illamna does empty into the ocean via a long, deep river. It is because of this that many have speculated the monster is nothing more than a stray Beluga whale or a very, very large sturgeon. It’s always a sturgeon isn’t it?

For ages the native folks of the area were afraid of the lake. They told stories of these creatures overturning small boats and eating the hapless souls as they began their swim for shore.

If there is any truth whatsoever to that nature tale then the idea the Illamna Lake monster is a sturgeon is just silly. The thought that it might be a Beluga whale doesn’t fit either.

It is curious to compare the Lake Illamna monster with its’ Scottish cousin, the Loch Ness monster. It would seem that Nessie is closer to being a vegetarian then the Illamna monster because the monster of Ness doesn’t eat people. On the other hand the Illamna monster seems to enjoy human flesh. Also the description is so very different from one another. One appears to be snake-like while the other, the Loch Ness monster, reminds one of a dinosaur.

Due to the isolation of Alaska’s Lake Illamna, the only way to get there is by small plane. In this way it is different than reaching Loch Ness where thousands of people can visit the Loch every year. So it is therefore difficult for researchers to do their research with regard to what is going on in the lake.

For that reason, it could well be many years before they finally figure out if the lake has sturgeons growing to 40 feet long.