List of lake monsters explained

The list of lake and river monsters attested in worldwide folklore.

The list

Body of waterAreaNationContinentName(s)DescriptionFirst and last reported sightingsNotes
Alkali LakeNorth AmericaAlkali Lake Monster40-foot-long (12 m) alligator-like creature with rough, grayish-brown skin and a horn-like appendage located between its eyes and nostrils.
Altamaha RiverNorth AmericaAltamaha-ha30-foot (9 m) long with a snake-like head and flippers like a seal[1]
Memaloose Lake North AmericaAmhulukSerpentine with horns[2] Kalapuya Legend
Fulk LakeNorth AmericaBeast of 'Busco, Oscar the TurtleGiant Snapping Turtle1898–1948
Lake ErieNorth AmericaBessie, South Bay BessieSnake-like and 30 to 40 ft (9-12 m) long, at least a foot (30 cm) in diameter, with a grayish color.[3]
Black RiverNorth AmericaBlack River MonsterDark-colored serpentine body with flippers and large bulging eyes1951–
Lake DillonNorth AmericaBlue DillyManta ray like creature
Bozho Serpentine creature, sometimes taken for a log until it moves. circa 1860–???? Said to play 'pranks' such as chasing boats and tickling bathers' feet.[4] Namesake of local arts & culture news website.[5]
Brosno LakeEuropeBrosno Dragon, BrosnyaSeptember 2021.
Lake KhaiyrAsiaLake Khaiyr Monster
Labynkyr LakeAsiaLabynkyr Devil or Labynkyrsky ChertVarious descriptions - possibly 26 feet (7.9 m) long
Various swamps, billabongs, creeks, riverbeds and waterholes across AustraliaAustraliaBunyipVariously described as having a round head, an elongated neck, and a body resembling that of an ox, hippopotamus, or manatee.[6] Part of traditional Aboriginal beliefs and stories throughout Australia
Lake Champlain


North AmericaChampA reptilian creature with slimy gray skin, 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m) in length, with a long neck, a horselike head, and four flippers.
North AmericaCharles Mill Lake MonsterArmless Reptilian with luminous green skin and glowing green eyes1959–1963
Chesapeake BayNorth AmericaChessieDark-colored snakelike body with flippers.
Crescent LakeNorth AmericaCressieEel-Like Lake Monster[7] 1950s–present
Devil's LakeNorth AmericaDevil's Lake MonsterFresh Water Octopus[8]
Lake TotaSouth AmericaDiablo Ballena (Devil Whale), Monster of Lake TotaA huge black fish, bigger than a whale, with the head of a bull.[9] 1652–
Lake ElsinoreNorth AmericaElsie, Hamlet, Lake Elsinore MonsterCross between a plesiosaur and a sea serpent[10] 1884–1994
Flathead LakeNorth AmericaFlossie,[11] Flathead Lake Monster,Either a 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m) long eel-like creature; round, brown to blue-black in color and possesses steel-black eyes and undulating hips or a large-sized fish from 6 to 10 feet (2 to 3 m) in length.
Lake OntarioNorth AmericaGaasyendiethaDragon that dwells in rivers and lakes of Canada, especially Lake Ontario. This dragon flies on a trail of fire, and can also spew fire.Seneca Legend
Lake ThunderbirdLake Oolagah

Lake Tenkiller

North AmericaThe Giant Freshwater OctopusA 20-foot long (6 m) giant octopus, reddish-brown with leathery skin[12] Thought to be responsible for Oklahoma lake drownings
GryttjenEuropeGryttieLong, serpentine, and potentially horned.[13] 1980s–
Herrington LakeNorth AmericaHarry, Eel-PigRoughly 15 ft (4.6 m) long with a body like that of an eel and a skin tone/pattern reminiscent of a speckled fish. It is said to be as fast as a boat at times, and also possess a stubby pig-like snout and a somewhat curly tail.[14] 1925-1972
Hawkesbury RiverAustraliaHawkesbury River Monster, Moolyewonk, Mirreeular25 to 30-foot (7.6 to 9 m) grayish-black plesiosaur with a snake-like head.[15]
Lake HodgesNorth AmericaHodgeePlesiosaurs or Loch Ness Monster-like creature[16]
Devil's LakeNorth AmericaHokuwaA long neck and small head, plesiosaur-like.[17]
Lake SimcoeNorth AmericaIgopogo, Kempenfelt KellySeal-like animal. Length, 12–70 feet (3.6-21 m). Charcoal-gray color. Dog- or horse-like face. Prominent eyes. Gaping mouth. Neck is like a stovepipe. Several dorsal fins. Fishlike tail.[18] Also known as Kempenfelt Kelly.
Iliamna LakeNorth AmericaIllie, Iliamna Lake MonstersMonstrous fish with blunt heads used to smash through boat bottoms. Said to resemble a barracuda, silvery in color with black stripes.First reported by the Aleut people
Lake EdwardNorth Kivu, AfricaIrizimaGigantic hippopotamus with the horns of a rhinoceros upon its head, or a marsh monster with a hippo's legs, an elephant' trunk, a lizard's head, and an aardvark's tail.
Bear Lake
North AmericaIsabella, Bear Lake MonsterHead variously described as being similar to that of a cow, otter, crocodile, or a walrus (minus the tusks). Its size was reported to be at least fifty feet (15 m) long, and light cream in color.[19] The creature can supposedly crawl onto the shore.
Lake IkedaAsiaIssieA huge saurian creature with black humps.[20] 1978
Lake OntarioNorth AmericaKingstieThe descriptions over the years have been inconsistent, with color ranging from blue to brown, a large head or no head at all, bristled or bald, teeth like an alligator or toothless.[21]
Hudson RiverNorth AmericaSea Serpent, shark, or manatee[22]
Lake KussharoAsiaKusshii30 to 60 ft (9-18 m) long with humps on its back, a long neck and a pair of horns on its head.[23]
LagarfljótEuropeLagarfljót WormSometimes said to resemble large islands, but at other times to rise out of the water in arches, spanning hundreds of fathoms. People were unsure what sort of monster this was because neither its head nor tail was visible from Skálholtsannáll.[24] 1345[25] -Present
Lake LeelanauNorth AmericaLake Leelanau MonsterA log with eyes[26] 1910
Lake TianchiJilin, RyanggangAsiaLake Tianchi MonsterA large turtle-like animal, or a long black creature, some 20–30 meters long with a small head shaped like that of a horse.[27] Lake Tianchi is also known as Lake Chonji, and is partly located in North Korea.
Lake VanVan, BitlisAsiaLake Van MonsterSaid to resemble ancient marine reptiles such as a plesiosaur.
Lake WorthNorth AmericaLake Worth MonsterFishy man-goat, humanoid torso with goat legs, covered in white fur and scales[28] 1969
Lake ComoEuropeLariosauro, LarryNothosaur[29] 1949–1957
Lake VictoriaAfricaLukwata20–30 feet (6-9 m) long, with dark smooth skin and a rounded head[30]
Lake Manitoba, Lake WinnipegosisNorth AmericaManipogo, WinnipogoA long muddy-brown body with humps that show above the water, and a sheep-like head.1908–1962Manipogo also known as the Winnipogo as the Lake Monster is reported to live in Lake Manitoba which is connected to Lake Winnipegosis, Canada. The creature was dubbed Manipogo in 1957, the name echoing British Columbia's Ogopogo.
Gudgerama CreekAustraliaMannie, Maningrida monster60 feet (18 m) long, dark, scaly, and three-headed.[31] 1972
Lake Memphrémagog

North AmericaMemphréPlesiosaurs or Loch Ness Monster-like creature[32] Lake Memphrémagog lies partly in the USA.
Lake ManitouNorth AmericaMeshekenabekThirty feet (9 m) long, dark in color, possesses a long neck with a horse-like head.[33]
Missouri RiverNorth AmericaMi-ni-wa-tuAn amphibious creature with a body like that of a buffalo, covered with red hair. It has a single horn in its forehead, and a single eye. Its back is notched like a saw or gear.[34] From Lakota peoples' mythology
Lake SuperiorNorth AmericaMishipeshuHas the head and claws of a panther, but with scales and spines.
Congo River BasinAfricaMokele-mbembeApatosaurus-like creature[35]
Elizabeth LakeNorth AmericaThe Monster of Elizabeth LakeBat wings, the neck of a giraffe, the head of a bulldog, six legs, a length of at least fifty feet (15 m), and emit a horrible nauseating stench.[36] 1830–1886
Loch MorarEuropeMorag20-ft (6 m) serpent-like creature.[37]
Lakes of KillarneyEuropeMuckie27-ft (8.2 m) snake-like creature[38] 2003
Loch MareeEuropeMuc-sheilchPhysically identical to Nessie
Lake TemiskamingNorth AmericaMugwumpApproximately 20 ft (6 m) long, a black, glistening head with protruding eyeballs
Lake AlexandrinaAustraliaMuldjewangkSometimes portrayed as evil merfolk (half man half fish), or times as a gargantuan monster. It is also inconsistent whether there are many of the creatures, or a single "The Muldjewangk".[39]
Muskrat LakeNorth AmericaMussieVariously described as a walrus, a sturgeon, or as a three-eyed Loch Ness Monster-like creature[40]
Lake Nahuel Huapi and ProvinceSouth AmericaNahuelitoPlesiosaurs or Loch Ness Monster-like creature.
Loch NessEuropeNessiePlesiosaurs-like
Lake NormanNorth AmericaNormie, Lake Norman MonsterLong and serpentine with scaly fins and flippers, a dog-like head, and red eyes.1967–
Great Salt LakeNorth AmericaNorth Shore Monster, Great Brine Shrimp, Old BrineyMonster crocodilian or monstrous shrimp-like crustacean1840–
Bangweulu SwampAfricaNsangaCrocodile-like animal with smooth skin and hooked claws.[41]
Lake KaribaAfricaNyami NyamiDragon-like creature with a snake's torso and the head of a fish.Season 4 episode 3 of River Monsters reveals that Nyaminyami was inspired by the Vundu Catfish, southern Africa's largest fish.
East Okoboji LakeNorth AmericaObojokiA large dark greenish-brown animal with a head the size of a bowling ball.[42] 1903–2001
Onondaga LakeNorth AmericaOggieGiant salamander
Okanagan LakeNorth AmericaOgopogoGreen in color, three humps in the water and a horse-like bearded head.1926–2011
Finger LakesNorth AmericaOld GreenyGreen Eel-like serpent
Turtle LakeNorth AmericaTurtle Lake MonsterLarge ancient looking fish-like creature similar to a River Sturgeon; could in fact be trapped River Sturgeon. There might be up to three of them.1923–Present
Lake UtopiaNorth AmericaOld NedApproximately 20 feet (6 m) in length, having a large head, being reddish-brown or dark red in color, Eel-like[43] 1867–present
Great Slave LakeNorth AmericaOl' Slavey
Lake Pend OreilleNorth AmericaPend Oreille PaddlerPlesiosaurs or Loch Ness Monster-like creature[44] 1940s–1996
Lake PepinNorth AmericaPepieLarge Serpent Like Creature[45]

AsiaPhaya NagaSerpent-like creatureAncient times–presentScientists and researchers at the Faculty of Science of Chulalongkorn University have attributed these seemingly preternatural phenomena to standing waves in water, and posit that the existence of Phaya Nak is similar to belief in Loch Ness Monster in Scotland or Ogopogo in Canada.[46]
Pocomoonshine LakeNorth AmericaPoco30–60-foot-long (9-18 m) snake[47] [48]
Lake PohenegamookNorth AmericaPonikDark Serpentine body and a horse-like head with catfish-like whiskers1874–present
Lake SuperiorNorth AmericaPressieDark serpentine body with a long neck, a whale-like tail, and whiskers.
SeljordsvatnetEuropeSeljordsormen, Selma30 to 45-foot (9 to 14 m) serpent-like creature, resembling a large anaconda; some reports even include several humps on its back.1750[49] - Present
Tasik ChiniAsiaSeri GumumLegendary dragon-like creature mentioned in old folklore, and other literary works
Payette LakeNorth AmericaSharlie, Slimy Slim, The Twilight DragonSerpent
Lake PowellNorth AmericaSkin FinPossesses a large dorsal fin like that of a shark, a body built like an elephant, the flat wide tail of a manatee, and a head and neck like a miniature brontosaurus. Its skin is described as being a dark oily black and smooth like that of an eel.[50]
Lake De SmetNorth AmericaSmettyHead like a horse, a bony ridge down its back, and about 40 feet (12 m) long.[51]
StorsjönEuropeStorsjöodjuretHumped back and a long neck and tail. It has grayish-brown skin with a yellow underbelly, a dog-like head, and a body anywhere between 10 and 42 feet (3-13 m) in length.[52] 1635–
Lake TahoeNorth AmericaTahoe TessieLarge, serpent-like creature.[53]
Rivers, Lakes, and Caves throughout New Zealand[54] AustraliaTaniwhaResembles a shark, dragon, or whale, or a shapeshifter that can appear like any of those animals.[55] Creatures from Māori folklore
Bala LakeEuropeTeggie
Thetis LakeNorth AmericaThetis Lake MonsterCreature with "silvery scaled skin, sharp claws, and spikes on its head.1972
Lake LepelEuropeTsmokBehemoths with the head of a deer or snake and the body of a seal.[56]
Wallowa LakeNorth AmericaWally, Wallowa Lake MonsterA long, serpent-like creature, often compared in appearance to the Chinese Dragon, with multiple humps on its back which can be seen when the creature swims along the surface of the water, some accounts also include horns atop the beasts head.[57] Originated in Nez Pearce Legend
White RiverNorth AmericaWhitey, White River MonsterA gray fish-like creature with a horn sticking out from its forehead sometimes described as having a spiny back twenty feet (6 m) long.[58] This monster is said to have been responsible for overturning a Confederate munitions boat during the civil war.
Arenal Lagoon[59] [60] North AmericaCow-headed, horned, and serpentine[61]
St. Johns River[62] North AmericaSt. Johns River Monster, Johnnie, BorinkusSerpentine, with horns and a ridge on its back
Sacramento River[63] North AmericaWetlashWater elemental, that resembles an elf made completely of water
Zegrze Reservoir[64] Masovian Voivodeship PolandEuropeZegrze Reservoir Monster

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Altamaha-ha - Sea Monster of the Georgia Coast. 2020-11-27. www.exploresouthernhistory.com.
  2. Gatschet. Albert S.. 1899. Water-Monsters of American Aborigines. The Journal of American Folklore. 12. 47. 255–260. 10.2307/533052. 533052. 0021-8715.
  3. Web site: 2011-07-08. Buffalo Rising OTD: 11-12-1933: Happy Anniversary Loch Nessie, from Lake Erie's Bessie!. 2020-11-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20110708104140/http://archives.buffalorising.com/story/otd_11121933_happy_anniversary. 2011-07-08.
  4. Wisconsin Historical Society Archives Web site: Folklore Pamphlets 1921-1945:Sea Serpents.
  5. Web site: The Bozho: About Us.
  6. Web site: Bunyip mythological creature. 2020-11-30. Encyclopedia Britannica. en.
  7. News: What lurks in Crescent Lake? Meet Cressie, N.L.'s water monster CBC News. en-US. CBC. 2020-11-27.
  8. Web site: Monsters of the Lake. 2020-11-28. Devil's Lake State Park Area Visitor's Guide - DevilsLakeWisconsin.com. en-US.
  9. Web site: 2016-05-24. Five mystical Colombian lakes you have to visit. 2020-11-30. Colombia Country Brand. en-US.
  10. Web site: Heimbuch. Jeff. 2016-02-07. Crypto Country Courier: Elsie The Lake Monster. 2020-11-27. HorrorBuzz. en-US.
  11. Web site: Flathead Lake Monster. 2020-11-27. Flathead Lakers. en-US.
  12. Web site: 2012-08-13. Oklahoma Octopus. 2020-11-28. Animal Planet. en-US.
  13. Web site: GRYTTIE: (SWEDEN) Cryptopia - Exploring The Hidden World. 2020-11-30. www.cryptopia.us.
  14. Web site: Cryptid Profile: The Herrington Lake Eel-Pig. 2020-11-27. THE PINE BARRENS INSTITUTE. en-US.
  15. Web site: The Hawkesbury River Monster. 2020-11-30. www.mysteriousaustralia.com.
  16. Web site: dweisman. 2020-11-08. Hodgee, the friendly Lake Hodges Monster: Fact or fiction?. 2020-11-28. Escondido Grapevine. en-US.
  17. Book: Francis, Scott. Monster spotter's guide to North America. HOW Books. 2007. 978-1-58180-929-9. 1st. Cincinnati, Ohio. 85822517.
  18. Web site: October 2005. Joe Nickell 14. Investigators Search for Canadian Lake Monster. 2020-11-27. livescience.com. 14 October 2005. en.
  19. Book: Fife, Austin E. . Saints of sage and saddle: folklore among the Mormons . 1980 . University of Utah Press . Fife, Alta Stephens . 0-87480-180-X . Reprint . Salt Lake City . 7341384.
  20. Web site: 2014-09-30. Meet Issie, Japan's very own Loch Ness Monster. 2020-11-30. SoraNews24 -Japan News-. en-US.
  21. Web site: Torontoist. 2013-01-16. Toronto Urban Legends: The Great Serpent of Lake Ontario. 2020-11-27. Torontoist.
  22. Web site: 2017-10-10. Kipsy the Hudson River Monster - Sightings - Monsters. 2020-11-27. Cryptids Guide. en-US.
  23. Book: Namiki, Shin-ichiro. Nippon No Kaiki Hyaku. マガジンランド. 2007. 9784944101269.
  24. Web site: 2020-03-16. The Lagarfljot Wyrm. 2020-11-28. Visitegilsstadir. en-US.
  25. Web site: Lagarfljótsormurinn Serpent in Lagarfljót Lake in East-Ic.... 2020-11-28. Guide to Iceland. en.
  26. Web site: THE LAKE LEELANAU MONSTER. Leelanau.
  27. Web site: CNN.com - Chinese Nessie 'alive and well' - July 31, 2002. 2020-11-30. edition.cnn.com.
  28. News: 1969. A Cry, A Leap, and a Heave. Fort Worth Star Telegram.
  29. Web site: Italy's Lake Como Has A Monster Called Lariosauro. 2020-11-30. ITALY Magazine. en.
  30. Book: Radford, Benjamin 8. Lake monster mysteries: investigating the world's most elusive creatures. Nickell, Joe. 2006. University Press of Kentucky. 0-8131-7130-X. Lexington, KY. 70262488.
  31. News: July 6, 1972. Mysterious Creatures. Sydney Herald.
  32. Web site: 2012-10-15. PHOTOS: Quebec And Vermont Share A Lake Monster. 2020-11-27. HuffPost. en.
  33. Web site: Cryptid Profile: Meshekenabek - The Monster of Lake Manitou. 2020-11-27. The Pine Barrens Institute. en-US.
  34. Web site: abookofcreatures. 2015-07-29. Mi-ni-wa-tu. 2020-11-27. A Book of Creatures. en.
  35. Book: Hagenbeck, Carl. Beasts and men, being Carl Hagenbeck's experiences for half a century among wild animals; an abridged translation by Hugh S. R. Elliot and A. G. Thacker ... with an introduction by P. Chalmers Mitchell ... with photogravure portrait of the author and ninety-nine other illustrations. 1912. Longmans, Green, and Co.. London. 10.5962/bhl.title.34749.
  36. Web site: Parzanese. Joe. The Monster of Elizabeth Lake. 2020-11-30. Weird California. en.
  37. Book: Bord, Janet. Alien animals : a worldwide investigation. Bord, Colin. 1985. Panther. 0-586-06469-9. Rev.. London. 19351810.
  38. Web site: What Lurks In Muckross Lake?. 2020-11-28. RTÉ Archives. en.
  39. Web site: Wallbank. Mark. 2014-01-19. Muldjewangk Paranormal NZ. 2020-11-30. Paranormal New Zealand. en-US.
  40. Web site: The story of Muskrat Lake monster. 2020-11-27. ottawasun. en-CA.
  41. Book: Heuvelmans, Bernard.. On the track of unknown animals. Routledge. Garnett, Richard., Lindbergh, Alika, 1929-, Durrell, Gerald, 1925-1995.. 2014. 978-1-315-82885-5. London. 958102058. 1995.
  42. Web site: Cryptids. Cryptomundo. Cryptomundo » East Okoboji Sea Serpent?. 2020-11-30. en-us.
  43. Web site: Turnbull. Stephen. The Lake Utopia Monster. 2020-11-28. psican.org.
  44. Web site: Rawlings. Tara. THE PEND OREILLE PADDLER. 2020-11-28. Cedar Post.
  45. Web site: Pepie the Lake Pepin Monster Lake City, MN. 2020-11-27. en-US.
  46. Web site: 2011-08-30. มอง "พญานาคเล่นน้ำ" ที่บึงโขงหลงในมุมนักวิทยาศาสตร์. A "water dragon" at the Bung Khong Long in science.. 2017-04-30. ASTV Manager. th.
  47. Web site: 2015-12-08. The Monster Of Pocomoonshine Lake and 9 Other Creepy New England Legends. 2020-11-30. MadMikesAmerica.
  48. Web site: POCOMOONSHINE LAKE MONSTER. 2020-11-30. www.mainething.com.
  49. Web site: 2016-09-15. Is Selma the sea serpent alive and well in the lakes of Norway?. 2020-11-28. Blasting News. en.
  50. Web site: Cryptid Profile: Skin Fin- The Lake Powell Monster. 2020-11-27. THE PINE BARRENS INSTITUTE. en-US.
  51. Web site: Delap . Ian . Wyoming Beasts & Where To Find Them: Lake DeSmet Monster. 2020-11-27. My Country 95.5. en.
  52. Web site: 2018-07-25. Meet Storsjöodjuret, the Legendary Swedish Lake Monster That Rivals Nessie. 2020-11-30. www.mentalfloss.com. en.
  53. Web site: Weird California. 2020-11-27. www.weirdus.com.
  54. Web site: Taonga. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. Taniwha. 2020-11-30. teara.govt.nz. en.
  55. Web site: 2012-10-12. 10 Legendary Monsters of Australasia and Antarctica. 2020-11-30. www.mentalfloss.com. en.
  56. Book: Karatkievich, Vladzimir. Hrystos Pryzyamlіўsya ¢ Garodnі: Evangelle Іudy Hell. Bellitfond. 1990. 985-6576-14-8. Belarus.
  57. Web site: Unknown Explorers - Wallowa Lake Monster. 2020-11-28. www.unknownexplorers.com.
  58. Web site: Encyclopedia of Arkansas. 2020-11-27. Encyclopedia of Arkansas. en-US.
  59. Book: Los volcanes de Costa Rica . 9789968316798 . Alvarado Induni . Guillermo E . 2009. 103. EUNED . 3rd. es.
  60. Web site: Misterio. aldia.cr. es.
  61. Web site: Lake Arenal, Costa Rica Vacation Info. 2020-11-30. Lakelubbers.
  62. Web site: In search of the St. Johns River Monster. Gilmore . Tim . September 9, 2020 . The Jaxson. January 13, 2021.
  63. Web site: Wetlash Sighting in California.
  64. Web site: Chcą wskrzesić legendę zegrzyńskiej Paskudy. mejscowa.pl. https://web.archive.org/web/20070514220750/http://www.miejscowa.pl/content/view/1239/961/. 2007-05-14. pl.