The Iliamna Lake Monster, nicknamed Illie is a cryptid said to inhabit Alaska’s largest freshwater lake. Indigenous Tlingit and Aleut legends describe a creature called Gonakadet or Jig-ik-nak, a massive, wolf-headed aquatic being feared for attacking canoes. Modern sightings began in the 1940s, with bush pilots reporting 10–30 ft, metallic-colored, fish-like creatures. Notable events include a 1967 incident where a floatplane was allegedly dragged across the lake by something powerful enough to straighten steel tuna hooks. Recent sightings in 2017 describe a pod of creatures up to 60 ft long, blowing water like whales. Sightings continue in local interviews, cryptid podcasts, and Reddit threads. The lake remains a hotspot for cryptozoological interest, with theories ranging from giant sturgeon to sleeper sharks.