| Lake Minto | |
|---|---|
| Location | Baie-d'Hudson, Kativik, Quebec |
| Lake type | Oligotrophic |
| Primary inflows | Charpentier River and other rivers |
| Primary outflows | Leaf River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Max. length | 81 km (50 mi) [1] |
| Max. width | 22 km (14 mi) [1] |
| Surface area | 761 km2 (294 sq mi) [2] |
| Surface elevation | 168 m (551 ft) [2] |
Lake Minto (Inuktitut: Qasigialik, "where there are Spotted Seals") is a lake on western Ungava Peninsula, Nunavik, Quebec, Canada. It has a total surface area of 761 square kilometres (294 sq mi) and a net area of 703 square kilometres (271 sq mi).[3]
It was named by Canadian explorer and geologist Albert Peter Low in 1898 after Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto, who was Governor General of Canada at that time.[1]
It is only some 60 kilometres (37 mi) east of Hudson Bay in a valley between several rows of hills, but Lake Minto's outlet, the Leaf River, flows north-east for about 265 kilometres (165 mi) to Ungava Bay. As such, it is used by canoeists especially when crossing Ungava from west to east.[1][4][5]
It is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in northern Quebec.[1]