People have been fascinated by monsters for generations. Some of these mythical creatures could just be large fish or other lake inhabitants, others could truely be ‘monsters.’ He is a look at the nine most dreaded lake monsters in the USA.

Alkali Monster: (Nebraska, USA)

Originally reported seen in 1923, this aligator like creature roams the valcanically created Alkali Lake. Reported to be 40 feet long with a heavy rhinoceros like horn this creature has caused much scare in the Omaha area for years.

Champ: (Usa – Canada)

Submerged somewhere within the 125 mile strip that is Lake Champlain, Champ the lake monster makes his home. Champ was originally spotted in July of 1609 when Samuel de Champlain spotted a “20 foot serpent, thick as a barrel, with a head like a horse.” In 1883 Sherrif Nathan Mooney claimed to see a giant serpent that spouted five feet out of the water and was estimated to be 27 feet in length. As the creature gained more attention a $50,000 reward was offered for the carcass of the creature. On July 5 1977 Sandra Mansi and her family had a strange and frightening encounter with Champ. Her children were playing in a pool on the bank of the lake when they began to scream. Sandra and fiance Anthony ran to the children and saw a horific creature near the middle of the lake. Sandra was able to snap one shot of the creature. When she had the film developed she finally saw what she had snapped. It was the neck and head of some sort of creature. It was not until three years later this photo was released to the public. What ever this animal is, it is adored by those who live along the shores of Lake Champlain. In 1983 a bill was passed into law that no person shall harm the creature.

Devil’s Lake Monster: (Wisconsin, Usa)

Even without know the history of the lake and the monster that lives beneath the calm waters, you would certainly get chills just by the sight of the lake. The first sighting was before white Europeans had settled the area. A Native American chief assembled a late night hunting trip. As they slipped the canoe into the calm waters large tentacles flipped the canoe and pulled all the men to the bottom of the lake. Although there were no survivors the screams of the men were heard in the village and the other tribes men rushed to the beach in time to see the men go down.

Flathead Lake Monster: (Montana, USA)

Described most often as being a whale-like animal with a grayish epidermis, the first reported sighting of this creature occured in 1889. The captain that reported the sighting (James C. Kerr) claimed the animal turned toward the vessel and began to swim very quickly through the water with intentions of ramming the ship. Fortunetly, like many Montana natives, a passenger had a shot gun with him. He shot into the water and scared the creature away. On may 28 1955 C. Lesslie Griffith hooked a giant fish near Big Arm State Park. The five hour battle ended with Griffith landing an 8 foot 181 pound sturgeon. Skeptics claim this fish was introduced to the lake artificially as were other sturgeon, which are often mistaken for the Flathead Lake Monster.

Illiamna Lake Monster: (Alaska, USA)

Lake Illiamna is the largest lake in the state of Alaska and is home to a large population of unknown creatures inclueding the Illiamna Lake Monster. Eye Witnesses to the Illiamna Lake Monster claim the creature is 30 feet long with a broad skull and a upward pointed tail. Encounters of this animal dates back to Native American tribes telling the white settlers of the man-eating lake monsters. In 1963 Alaskan wildlife biologists noted seeing a 30-35 foot animal swimming in the lake. The biologists who claimed the sighting estimated the size of the animal by looking at the shadow of the plane being cast on the lake. They watched the animal for 10 minutes noting that the animal never surfaced for air.

Leelanau: (Michigan, USA)

The fact that this creature has never been associated with the seldom mentioned plesiosaur nor any other profoundly serpentine animal indicates that, unlike the vast majority of Lake Monster reports, this animal may belong to another species or genus. reports began when the Lake Leelanau Dam was built in 1800. The dam sealed off the lakes largest outlet and apparently the monster aswell. In 1910 William Gauthier a boy was fishing in the then Carp Lake. He was having such poor luck that day so he decided to move further out into the lake to a place he had never been before. He noticed many dead cedar trees. He idle up and moored onto one. Just as his rope touched the branch two eyes poped up out of the water staring straight at the boy. The creature dove under the boat and swam away. The creature that was spotted on that day no doubtedly has developed the ability to blend its self with its surroundings. There have been no reports of the monster in the past decade, perhaps this creature and myth has now expired.

Oggie: (New York, USA)

Once a prestince stretch of fresh water, Onondaga Lake is now the most polluted lake in the United States. Native American stories reveal there has always been a monster in Onondaga Lake but the first official report of one was not made until the winter of 1977. The story began with a boy scout capturing a salamander during a camping trip and taking it home. As his interest in the amphibean decreased his father took the animal and opted to flush it down the toilet where it would either perish quickly of find comfort and warmth in the New York sewer system. The salamander was not heard from again until 1977 when cub scout troop 400 noted a dragon like creature swimming in the lake. Many sightings have been claimed since and it didnt take long for the New Yorkers to dub this creatuer Oggie.

Tahoe Tessie: (Nevada – California, USA)

Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide and depths reach 1000+ feet deep, perfect for a lake monster. Tessie has been described as a 60 foot long serpent/reptile. Along with many others this myth was told to the white settlers by Native Americans. Official reports were not dated until the 1970’s when marine biologist Jacques Cousteau dove into the depths of the lake and returned terrified. He said “the world is not ready for what is down there.” He died in 1997 never revealing what he saw. His film was never released either. There have been other amateur videos but none that are conclusive enough to prove there really is a monster.

Wallowa Lake Monster: (Oregon, USA)

With a horn that resembles Nebraska’s Alkali Monster, the Wallowa Lake Monster was first reported by the Nez Perce Indians and was originally mistaken for a buffalo because of its eyes that rest 14 inches apart. It is reported to be 75 feet apart with seven humps along its spine. The first encounter comes to us from the Nez Perce Tribe. A warrior was walking up the hillside when he came accross a horned beasted. Both were startled by one another and the beast began to run down the hill in terror, plunging into the lake. The warrior sprinted after it. they swam half way out to the lake and the beast stopped. The warrior seized his opportunity and dove in for the kill. The creature submerged into the water leaving the warrior in the middle of the lake confused. Suddenly the beast resurfaced, took the warrior in his teeth, and dragged him under. The Nez Perce who witnessed the incident never again ventured near the lake. Sightings of the monster still occur today and drowning victims are often attributed to the beast, not the 32 degree water.

There are nealry 250 lake monsters around the world, and millions of unknown species which could attribute to these lake monster sightings. I encourage you to do more research on these creatures and maybe find some lake monsters of your own. Just remember, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them.