Native American mythology of the western Great Basin has that a serpent lurks in the waters of the various lakes, whether it be Eagle, Honey, Pyramid or Tahoe. Some versions assert the lakes are connected by underground channel, and this is why sightings of the serpent are rare as the serpent is constantly traveling from lake to lake. Herewith are two accounts one at Eagle Lake and the other at Honey Lake.
According to the Lassen Advocate of August 13, 1976: “Suspicions of a possible Loch Ness monster in Eagle Lake were aroused Tuesday, Aug. 10, at about dusk when a group of people apparently saw a mysterious creature twice surface near the Eagle Lake marina. According to Gene Moore of Hemet, California who was fishing from shore, it looked like a 15 to 20 foot creature that almost looked like a big eel.”
Orlando McNabb was a mining prospector of the Honey Lake region in the early 1900s, but was he was also a prolific writer. Here is his observation of a Honey Lake serpent:
“Mr. J.C. Wemple, an old and respected citizen of our village [Milford], and a friend of mine, has been, for some time, observing very carefully the strange actions of Honey Lake. Mr. Wemple and I are both of an observing. turn of mind, with a desire to investigate the strange and mysterious nature. At various times during the last year so we have wandered on the sunlit shores of this beautiful lake we have heard strange sounds and often at evening late, we have seen the waters of this lake in great commotion, great waves rolling on its surface. At the same time we also heard a noise like unto the roaring of a dozen bulls. ‘What is the cause of all of this? Said I to my friend. ‘Well’ said Mr. Wemple, ‘It is a long, strange story. It is undoubtedly the return of the sea serpent that comes back every thousand years. During my early days here I found an old record written in what afterward was found to be in the Piute language. I was unable to read it, of course.’
“Both of us being much interested we called in consultation Piute Jack, a very intelligent native who lives at Willow Ranch, Long Valley. He is well versed in all the lore of his race, and by his aid translated the manuscript written in hieroglyphics on slabs of slate rock and will provide a translation at a later date. In the mean time and I would give a word of caution to persons who go fishing to have an eye open for this serpent-also be aware of the ‘eye-opener.'”