Is this a lake monster or just a dead pike?

Or, it could just be a dead pike, depending on who you ask. 

The discovery of the carcass on the shore of Hollingworth Lake in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on Monday has sparked a social media frenzy.

Visitors at the reservoir, which is almost 400 miles from Loch Ness, estimated that it was almost 5ft in length. 

The huge beast still has a mouth full of teeth and one walker said he could fit his entire fist inside.

Pictures of the creature, which have been posted by multiple shocked walkers, have sparked a debate on whether the lake monster was an ancient beast or just a dead pike.

They have been shared more than 200 times in a bid to clear up the mystery.

Sales worker Jonny Beckett, 32, said he was 'stunned' when he saw the beast during a romantic walk with his partner Suzanne. 

He said: 'I thought it was a crocodile or some ancient creature and I immediately took a photo of it.

'It looked huge - about 5ft in length. A group of kids saw me taking the photo and looked horrified.'

Myron Szymanskyj, who also shared his photos of the beast, said: 'I eyeballed the deceased monster.

'Anyone know what the thing with substantial teeth is and a mouth wide enough to accommodate a human fist?

'I turned it over and boy did it stink.'

Pikes are regularly found in the 130-acre reservoir and have been known to grow to more than 4ft.

Some users are adamant that the beast is the corpse of a pike but others are not convinced and have vowed to steer clear of the lake.

Carole Ann Gleeson said: 'What eva it is a monster or a pike. It's bloody horrible I won't paddle in the lake again, that's for sure.'

Emma Lorraine Mitchell added: 'Some pike that is. That looks lethal, I wonder if thats the only one or if there are more or if its ancient.'

Emma Meredith said: 'Aww I was going to have a drive up weekend with the kids I think I'll pass now.' 

(dailymail.co.uk)