ILIAMNA LAKE

lake, southwestern Alaska, U.S., west of Cook Inlet (Gulf of Alaska). The second largest freshwater lake entirely within the United States (after Lake Michigan), it is 80 miles (129 km) long and 25 miles (40 km) wide and covers an area of 1,000 square miles (2,600 square km). It drains southwest through the Kvichak River into Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea. It is noted for its game fish, especially rainbow trout. The active Iliamna Volcano (10,016 feet ) lies northeast of the lake at the head of Tuxedni Glacier. Named by Tanaina Indians, the lake was said to be inhabited by a mythical giant blackfish that would bite holes in canoes.