Flathead Lake Monster: Myth or Legend?

I sprang off the dock into the murky black water of Loch Ness.  It was a cold rainy day, but I felt my visit to Scotland would not be complete without a plunge into the famous body of water, allegedly inhabited by an extremely large freshwater fish.  The water was cold and I quickly swam back to shore, partially because it was cold, partially because we may have jumped off private land and partially because deep inside, I wonder if there is a Loch Ness Monster.

I have never had this fear in Flathead Lake, but many people claim to have seen a fish, very similar to the Loch Ness Monster in Flathead Lake.  Since the legend began in 1889 there have been 97 sightings of either extremely large fish (6'+ in length) or the Flathead Lake Monster explicitly.  Many reports describe a fish similar to the Sturgeon, one of the oldest families of bony fish in existence, only much larger.  70% of the sightings describe its appearance as that of an eel, with lengths of 20' - 40'.  Sightings describe it as brownish, or blue/black in color with grey or black eyes.  

What lends credibility to these reports, at least for me, are the following details about the sightings: 

1. 80% were made while there was more than one person present.

2. Sightings were made by people who were reportedly not drinking or on drugs.

3. Lawyers, doctors, engineers and policemen all have described sightings and are included in the 97 official sightings count.

4. Sightings have been recorded from long time residents of the area as well as first time visitors.

Here is a map of the 79 sightings as of 1994.  

There is substantial room for skepticism and criticism of these reports, but they are hard to dismiss completely.  Most other evidence on the subject and its verifiable nature can be interpreted either way.  While it is extremely difficult to prove the existence of the Flathead Lake Monster, given these reports and sightings, it is also relatively difficult to prove it does not exist.  Since the legend began, millions and millions of people have been out on the Flathead Lake and only a tiny fraction of a percent claim to have seen it.  So the chances of you seeing it are about as good as being pushed off a cliff by your new wife in Glacier, being pulled out of your tent by a black bear or seeing Micheal Jordan at the Tamarack.....possible but not likely.  

Written by Matt Harrington

Marketing and Front Desk

Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn and Suites

4824 Highway 93 South

Kalispell, MT 59901

Looking for a place to stay near Flathead Lake?  Check out: http://www.bestwesternflatheadlake.com/  we also have comprehensive lists of things to do and places to eat!