– Location: Alaska – Area: 1,014 square miles Though some 3 million natural lakes exist in Alaska, Iliamna Lake stands out for its size and scenery. The largest lake in the state, Iliamna is home to the world’s biggest sockeye salmon run, an economic powerhouse for Southwest Alaska. Many people arrive on floatplanes to marvel at Iliamna’s scenery or to fish the waters of the lake and Kvichak River. An Athabascan village of the same name on the northwest shore is home to a tight-knit community of Alaska Natives, highlighting the area’s rich Indigenous cultural heritage. Nessie91 // Shutterstock.