You have to be lucky to catch a rare glimpse of the Flathead Lake Monster, lovingly called Flossie. Since the first sighting reported in 1889, 79 accounts of a large-sized objects have been documented.

People describe a large eel shape creature that is 20 to 40 feet long. It is round, brown to blue-black in color, and has very obvious steel-black eyes and undulating hips. Others have identified it as a large-sized fish from 6 to 10 feet in length.

Generally, there are one or two reports of sightings every year.  In 1993, Laney Hanzel, Flathead Lakers board member and retired fisheries biologist, and Paul Fugleberg, a long time historian of monster sightings and a former editor of the Flathead Courier, collectively gathered 13 unusual sightings, which was by far the most of any year. But, Laney asks you to not call it a ‘monster’, but rather a creature.

Reports have been submitted by first time visitors as well as from life-long lake residents, and from drinkers and non-drinkers. Details of the creature have been described by mothers, doctors, lawyers, biologists, engineers, anglers, and policemen.

So, keep your eyes open and be extra alert when traveling in the areas around Skidoo Bay, Polson Bay, The Narrows, and along the west-shore road. You never know when you could see Flossie.

Be sure to contact the Flathead Lakers if you see a creature out on Flathead Lake. We will not laugh or make fun, and we will sincerely enter your comments into the historical archives of the Flathead Lake Monster.

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