| Kukaklek Lake | |
| Coords: | 59.17°N -155.3411°W |
| Basin Countries: | United States |
| Area: | 46080acres[1] |
| Elevation: | 247m (810feet) |
| Pushpin Map: | Alaska#North America |
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Location of Kukaklek Lake in Alaska, US |
Kukaklek is a lake in southern Alaska, near the base of the Alaska Peninsula. Located in Katmai National Park and Preserve, the lake is 46080acres 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]
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]