Illustrations by Lynette L. Walther
Since ancient times when mankind first ventured beyond the shore to set sail across bodies of water, there have been reported sightings of sea monsters, sirens, kraken, leviathans, and more. Those early seafarers were literally sailing into the unknown, with a limited understanding of common ocean occupants. Their fears, and ignorance of these creatures, which were alien to them, often resulted in reports of bizarre and indeed frightening specters of the seas.
In the sailors’ attempts to make sense of what they had seen, these sea creatures assumed the forms of beings with familiar faces, such as beautiful women luring unsuspecting men into the fearsome depths, or huge fish with pig-like heads poised to attack the unwary. The creative drawings of those early wayfarers survive to this day, and over the years have helped to sustain many a myth.
It is no wonder then that such fantastical accounts and evidential drawings gave birth to reports of monsters on the high seas and even in lakes and rivers. Scotland’s Loch Ness monster, the serpents of the Great Lakes, and yes, lake creatures closer to home here in Maine are examples.
In a state that boasts a coastline longer than that of California (3,478 miles), and with more than 6,000 lakes and ponds—a number that surpasses all other Northeastern states combined—it’s no surprise that some of those freshwater bodies reportedly supported inexplicable, mythical beasts. Considering that parts of Maine’s deepest lake, Sebago, are 49 feet below sea level and a whopping 316 feet deep, it’s tempting to fantasize about huge monsters lurking in the dank and dark bowels of that body of water. Moosehead Lake is no slouch in the depth department either, at 246 feet deep in some areas.
Like many of the tall tales about ocean-going creatures, a number of reports of lake monsters in Maine do exist, but often they are sketchy. One has to wonder if in some cases the sightings were enhanced with the aid of “strong drink.” Observations and reports of lake monsters came from a variety of sources over the decades, from fishermen to lumberjacks to early settlers. Some were associated with Indigenous lore and local legends.
For those who would like to dive even deeper into these watery mysteries, the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland has a collection of sketches by witnesses, historical documents, and sonar data.
For the record, here’s what we’ve unearthed in terms of slithering, swimming brutes in Maine’s lakes:
- Pocomoonshine Lake’s “Poco” was first reported in the 1880s, and again in 1882 by Sewell Quimby, a local owner of a sawmill, who claimed to have seen a 30- to 60-foot-long snake-like creature that was observed on land as well as in the water. Quimby later denied his report.
- Lake Pohenegamook’s “Ponik” was observed in 1873 in this body of water that is in Canada, but just steps away from the Maine border. Ponik is reported to be a huge serpentine monster.
- The Sebago Lake Serpent, similar to Scotland’s Loch Ness “Nessie,” was reported to be a snake-like creature with a long neck and a humped back, according to witness sketches. Sonar readings of the lake produced large, unexplained shapes, as well.
- Moosehead Lake’s monster was first spotted by lumberjacks in 1881. In the late 1800s sporting camps exploited the legend with hunting excursions for wealthy tourists, with one hotel owner fashioning a fake monster from canvas and wood, complete with an antlered head, that was towed behind a boat. Then in 1910, a respected physician claimed to have seen the monster while fishing. The physician reported it was more than 30 feet long, a serpent-like creature with a moose-like head.
So, what could these beasts really be? Possible explanations include especially large otters, massive eels, escaped exotic species like anaconda snakes, and even unusual examples of aquatic plants or the play of light on lake waves. None of the reports ever noted anyone being attacked or even approached by one of the monsters. One folklore legend, though, holds that in a battle between an Algonquin shaman and a Micmac chieftain, the shaman transformed into a giant snake to dominate the fight.
The good news on these mythical beasts is that a rambling, random, and utterly unscientific survey of fishing camps and bait and tackle shops in Maine’s lake country failed to turn up any significant recent reports of lake monsters.
“Aw, it was a made-up story,” said Jeff Cutting, the owner of Jordan’s Store in Sebago, when he was asked about the slithering “Sebago Lake Serpent.”
In Rockwood, by the shores of Moosehead Lake, Kate Tiffany, manager of Moosehead Bait and Tackle, hinted at local legends of the hulking Moosehead Monster. “I feel like I’ve heard something…” she said, but she was not able to report any recent sightings, or any sightings at all.
Is it possible that the lake monsters did exist at one time, and have since disappeared? Or could they still be out there, lurking in the depths, but are cannily avoiding detection?
Disappointing as the dearth of recent sightings may be for those expecting chilling and thrilling lake outings or monster hunts, on the bright side that probably means most of us can exhale a sigh of relief and get out there to enjoy all the wonder and beauty that the many Maine lakes have to offer. But should anyone actually sight one of those frightful demons, I am dying to hear all the scary details.
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Lynette L. Walther, is an award-winning writer and a MBH&H contributing editor. She ponders sea serpents and lake creatures from her garden and home in Camden, and at a safe distance from local bodies of fresh water.
