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Ponik

Also called Pohénégamook monster, Monstre du lac Pohénégamook

Quebec's lake monster, said to look like an upturned canoe covered in scales.

Lake Pohénégamook sits in a valley of the Notre Dame Mountains in south-east Quebec, right on the border with Maine. Local legend says a creature called the Ponik lives in its deep water, and people describe it as looking like an upturned canoe covered in scales.

Suggested explanations include a large sturgeon, floating logs and the influence of older sea-serpent stories. The town has embraced the legend: the Ponik has its own sculpture by the lake and helped make Pohénégamook known across Quebec.

What witnesses report

  • A long dark back like an overturned canoe
  • Scales or a ridged back
  • A wake with no boat

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Similar creatures

Other lake and sea monsters from around the world.

Memphréaka Memphre, Memphremagog monsterThe cross-border lake monster of Quebec and Vermont, honoured on a Canadian coin.Ogopogoaka N'ha-a-itk, NaitakaCanada's famous lake serpent of Okanagan Lake, BC.Igopogoaka Kempenfelt Kelly, Beaverton BessieA seal-faced lake animal said to live in Ontario's Lake Simcoe.Manipogoaka Winnipogo, Lake Manitoba monsterManitoba's humped lake serpent, with its own provincial park and festival.Champaka Champy, Lake Champlain MonsterAmerica's Loch Ness: the long-necked creature of Lake Champlain.Old Nedaka Lake Utopia monster, Lake Utopia serpentA whale-like creature said to live in Lake Utopia, New Brunswick, near the Bay of Fundy.

Also from Canada

Different creatures from the same part of the world.

Bessieaka South Bay Bessie, Lake Erie MonsterLake Erie's serpent, reported by sailors since the 1790s.Bigfootaka Sasquatch, SkookumA huge, hair-covered, upright ape said to roam North American forests.Cadborosaurusaka Caddy, Hiyitl'iikA horse-headed sea serpent reported off the coast of British Columbia.Dogmanaka Michigan Dogman, Upright canineA tall, upright, dog-headed creature with glowing eyes, the Midwest's favourite monster.Dungarvon Whooperaka The Whooper, Ghost of the DungarvonA New Brunswick lumber-camp ghost whose terrible whooping drove woodsmen from their camp.Hoop snakeaka Hoopsnake, Rolling snakeA snake that grabs its tail in its mouth and rolls after you like a wheel.