ILIAMNA LAKE, ALASKA

Iliamna Lake or Lake Iliamna is a lake in southwest Alaska, at the north end of the Alaska Peninsula, between Kvichak Bay and Cook Inlet 240 miles southeast of Anchorage, Alaska.

It is the largest lake in Alaska, eighth largest lake in the United States of America, and one of the largest in North America, covering about 2,600 km² (1,000 sq. miles). The lake is 77 miles (124 km) long and up to 22 miles (35 km) wide, with a maximum depth of 988 feet (301 m). Through the Kvichak River, its waters drain into Bristol Bay.

Iliamna Lake is noted for its sport fishing. The three primary targets of anglers in the lake are trout, salmon, and grayling. June through September is prime time for catching fat rainbow trout, some of which exceed 30 inches long. The Kvichak River Policy (the drainage of Lake Iliamna) is catch and release on trout (and all other native fish), but not on salmon. Sockeye (Red) and Silver (Coho). Salmon are consistently found in the lake and are open to harvest under Alaska Department of Fish and Game Regulations. Lake Iliamna also has one of few populations of freshwater seals in the world.