Kukaklek is a lake in southern Alaska, near the base of the Alaska Peninsula. Located in Katmai National Park and Preserve, the lake is 46,080 acres (18,650 ha) in area and is the source for the Alagnak River, a designated Wild River.[2] Notable for its excellent sport fishing, it is rated as one of the top wilderness destinations in Alaska. Wildlife in the area is typical of the Alaskan Peninsula, with grizzly bears, moose, gray wolf, and caribou frequently seen around the lake's shores. Grizzly bears in particular are frequently seen around the lake during the salmon run.[3] The lake has recently been the source for a controversial grizzly bear hunt in Katmai Preserve.[4][5]

Kukaklek Lake
Location of Kukaklek Lake in Alaska, US
Location of Kukaklek Lake in Alaska, US
Kukaklek Lake
Location of Kukaklek Lake in Alaska, US
Location of Kukaklek Lake in Alaska, US
Kukaklek Lake
LocationLake and Peninsula Borough
Coordinates59°10′12″N 155°20′28″W / 59.17000°N 155.34111°W / 59.17000; -155.34111
Primary outflowsAlagnak River
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area46,080 acres (18,650 ha)[1]
Surface elevation247 m (810 ft)

Capt. Tebenkov of the Imperial Russian Navy published the native name on an 1849 map.[6]

On September 20, 2007, just before the controversial 2007 bear hunt, an overloaded Helio Courier suffered a wing failure and crashed, killing all four men aboard.[7] A similar incident without loss of life occurred in 2010, with a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Fishing Kukaklek Lake, AK". The Lake Review.
  2. ^ Alagnak Watershed Rainbow Trout Seasonal Movement, United States Geological Survey, 2000
  3. ^ "Alagnak River". AMR Guides. Archived from the original on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
  4. ^ "The bears of Katmai". Anchorage Press. Retrieved February 18, 2009.
  5. ^ "Kukaklek Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2014-04-27.
  6. ^ Bennett, Bo (2000). Rods & Wings. Anchorage: Publication Consultants. p. 366. ISBN 9781888125627.
  7. ^ "Fatal crash caused by wing failure, NTSB says". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
  8. ^ "Pilot, passengers injured in Kukaklek Lake float plane crash". KTUU. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2010.