Southwest Community: Iliamna
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Iliamna is a small community situated on the northwest shore of Lake Iliamna, about 225 miles southwest of Anchorage. Lake Iliamna is the largest lake in Alaska and second largest fresh water lake in the U.S. (Lake Michigan is the largest). About 75 miles long and 20 miles wide, Lake Iliamna provides 1,000-square-miles of fishing including the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. Other world-class fishing includes Dolly Varden, arctic char, lake trout and grayling.
Iliamna is considered the gateway to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve as well as the base for a wide variety of fly-in fishing and wilderness lodges, ranging from rustic to luxurious. Moose, caribou, brown and black bear roam the area, and ptarmigan, the state bird, along with thousands of migrating waterfowl inhabit the area. The lake is connected to Bristol Bay by the Kvichak River, through which some marine mammals such as harbor seals and beluga whales can travel. Iliamna sometimes boasts a resident population of harbor seals.
The most intriguing thing about Lake Iliamna is the possibility it houses huge unknown animals. Reports of something odd in Iliamna go back in Aleut history, but not until aviation became common in the 1940s did sightings become more common. The lake’s mystery inhabitants are most often described as long, relatively slender animals, like fish or whales, up to 30 feet in length. A common theory is these creatures are gigantic sturgeon. The mystery has never been fully explored and, to date, no photos or caught sturgeon of any size have been produced to shed any additional light.
Details
A proud fisherman displays his catch
Population: 86
Location: Iliamna is located on the northwest side of Iliamna Lake, 225 miles southwest of Anchorage.
Access: Scheduled or charter air service from King Salmon, Dillingham and Anchorage, boat.
Accommodations: One hotel and bed & breakfast in Iliamna, numerous lodges in area.
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