Author Topic: Raystown Lake Monster (Read 3404 times)

Sheila · « **on:** April 19, 2006, 03:07:36 PM »

There have been reports of a strange creature seen in Raystown Lake, and someone actually got a picture of it. The creature looks like a big serpent.

iez44 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2006, 03:25:35 PM »

And where did you hear/read this?

Sheila · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2006, 12:33:46 PM »

It was on the news.

Critter · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2006, 04:22:31 PM »

Where is this lake? Details, details!

Skeeterbaymac · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2006, 04:39:16 PM »

I agree with critter! Were hooked, lets hear it please! :grin:

Sheila · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2006, 04:49:34 PM »

Its in Huntington County Pennsylvania.

Wisill · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2006, 08:23:04 PM »

Could you tell us on what news? Radio, Television and what station or affiliate, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX? I just did a check online for television stations in Harrisburg, which appears to be the closest large city to Raystown Lake, and there's no mention of it. Thanks for any assistance.

Sheila · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2006, 02:35:13 PM »

WJAC TV, the local news. But its been a few weeks since it was on the news.

Wisill · « **Reply #8 on:** April 21, 2006, 07:52:39 PM »

Thanks Sheila..

I went to the homepage of that TV Station, and did a search of their archives, with stories dating back several years. Couldn't find anything regarding any kind of pictures, or monsters in Raystown Lake. That doesn't really surprise me, it could be they found out it was a hoax after broadcasting it, and simply deleted the files from their site. However, your last post does make me wonder about another possibility. You mentioned it's been a few weeks, since it was on. What about 3 weeks ago? Could it have been an April Fools Joke, since that was April Fools Day? I'll drop the station an e-mail and see if they can give me any information. Again, thanks for the information you supplied.

Sheila · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2006, 09:27:38 AM »

It was after April Fool's. Someone actually has a picture of this thing, and alot of people living around that lake say there is something unusal living in this lake.

John · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2006, 09:43:48 AM »

The only lake monsters down here in Okieland are some of the big cats I catch. That said, I'm gonna make a prediction, the monster up there is a paddlefish.

Those prehistoric lookin' things were stocked in Penn. waters a few years back, and I've heard that they are doing well in places. I've also heard of folks catching them and not having a clue what they were.

iez44 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2006, 09:36:07 AM »

I've been boating on that lake since 1996 and have a camper in campground nearby. I talk to a lot of fishermen and recreational boaters and never in my 10 years up there has this "monster" ever been remotely mentioned.

My grandson's father lives in Huntingdon (3 miles from lake) and is a big time bass fisherman. He fishes a lot of tournaments so he spends a ton of hours on the lake. He's never mentioned the monster either.

Sorry Sheila, I think this is a hoax with a capital H.

usmcvet · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2006, 11:20:27 AM »

While night fishing on the lake May 14, 2006 at around 2:00 am, I noticed something large and dark slowly appear in the water approximately 40 yards away. It was very slowly moving through the water. I asked my friend if he could determine what it was. The visible portion was approximately 8 - 12 feet in length. After shining a Surefire flashlight at it, it submerged.
There were no noticable features such as a head or humps.
It is very hard to rationally explain what I saw.

iez44 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2006, 08:30:02 AM »

usmcvet,

What location on the lake did you see this? Was it near the shoreline or out towards deeper water? Did it stick out of the water or just break the surface?

BTW, how did you do on stripers that night?

Jim

PASlugger · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2006, 02:28:29 PM »

I'm from western PA originally, and have vacationed at the lake. I did a google search and turned up the following web site:

http://www.raystownray.com/

Looks like they will be posting a series of 25-30 pictures a local fisherman took soon.

Tom

Sheila · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2006, 03:36:20 PM »

If thus thing has been seen for decades, then there has to be more then one. They have to be reproducing.

Critter · « **Reply #16 on:** May 18, 2006, 04:42:20 AM »

From the bottom of the website:

Quote

The mission of the bureau is to develop and implement strategic marketing initiatives, which will result in increased visitation to the region. Visitor Services specialists can be contacted at 1-888-Raystown or visit www.raystown.org

I wonder if some of this isn't "strategic marketing initiatives" for the tourism board. Obviously there is something unexplained but how much of what comes off this website is going to be unbiased when it's run by the tourism bureau?

grizzy57 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 19, 2006, 11:57:45 PM »

I have been watching this post. I have lived in
Huntingdon all my life(63 years) and can remember when the Raystown Lake wasn't there
Spent lots of time out at the old dam. Haven't heard anything about this untill recently.The only
thing I do know for sure about the Raystown Dam Is that it Raised my TAXES.
Iez44 you say you have family in Huntingdon
what is his name I might know Him.
grizzy57

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #18 on:** May 21, 2006, 09:16:09 AM »

Quote from: PASlugger

http://www.raystownray.com/

I like the "artist's conception". I guess the fact that this lake is an impoundment unlike Loch Ness or other natural lakes hasn't detered speculation of the origins of a creature in the lake.

Skeptic10787 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2006, 09:44:14 AM »

I too live close to the lake, and have never so much as heard about any of the supposed "numerous" past sightings until recently. Without even looking at the photos, I also find it odd that anyone would believe there is a prehistoric monster living in a man made lake that has only been around for essentially a blink in time.
Now, to the pics. The first one is so far away and has so little detail, it's impossible to tell if the object is really in the photo, or was just a simple photoshop type addition.
The second is so obviously bogus, it amuses me. From that angle, all we should see is the reflection of the blue sky off the water. Even if there really was something below the water, we would still see only the sky reflecting off the top of the water. Judging by the color and edges, it too is obviously a digital addition.
The third has such poor quality, it's impossible to tell what the object is. Could be anything.
I'm also suspicious that the new photos aren't being shown. Be it that they're currently being created, or they just don't exist, I feel this is proof that the whole thing is really just a publicity stunt.

usmcvet · « **Reply #20 on:** November 02, 2006, 02:25:48 PM »

Quote from: iez44 on May 17, 2006, 08:30:02 AM

usmcvet,

What location on the lake did you see this? Was it near the shoreline or out towards deeper water? Did it stick out of the water or just break the surface?

BTW, how did you do on stripers that night?

Jim

I was on the wrong end of the lake for stripers that night.

The location was on the south side of that large island in the center part of the lake. I can't recall the islands name off hand. It was in deep water in the deep trolling section.

It didn't really stick out of the water much. But it did significantly break the surface. Not more than 6 to 10 inches. But due to it's size it did create considerable surface water disturbance. Such as a small wake at the lead of it with the waves "V"ing off on each side.

We were still fishing at the time just on the edge of the deep portion of the channel. There was almost zero boating traffic that evening. But one thing that might just be coincidental. There was a boat that just slowly went through the channel trolling. He was pulling one of those very largely spread lighted set-ups that had marker lights and covered a wide area.
As soon as that trolling rig passed this thing surfaced. It almost seemed like it was avoiding the trolling rig.
It actually passed close to our boat about 40 yards.

I'm still scratching my head over it.

Every now and then I pop in here to see if someone else comes up with something new to explain what I saw.

As far as a paddlefish........
http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/aquatic/fish/paddlefish/faq.html

Anything's possible. But what I saw was definately a lot longer than 5 feet.
However, the silouete would be a very close match to what I saw. And there ability to detect weak electrical fields would explain how it seeming avoided that lighted trolling rig.

If anyone comes up with anything else on this let me know.

Thanks,
John

Sheila · « **Reply #21 on:** November 02, 2006, 03:01:28 PM »

I use to go to a church camp near Raystown. Camp Mantowagan. I quit going there in 1996 because I was going to graduate in 97. I sure miss going over there. I have seen pictures of the the resort on the website, and I don't like what they did to the beach.

con10der309 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 14, 2006, 03:00:36 PM »

i think this is nothing more than a tourism publicity stunt to increase yearly visitation this lake is an IMPOUNDMENT and has only been a lake for a relatively short time,so where was this "thing" before?was it cruising up and down the juniata river?hey maybe thats what i saw when i was bass fishing.the photos on the website are as fake as they can be,amazing what people want to believe.btw i have been to raystown lake many times and NEVER heard of this critter.i only live 25 miles from the lake and this is all news to me