Winnipeg, Lake

Lake in southern Manitoba, Canada. It is a small remnant of the glacial lake Agassiz and Canada's third-largest lake, covering an area of 24,500 sq km/9,460 sq mi. Its waters are fed by the Red, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, and other rivers, draining much of the Canadian prairies. Its outflow is through the River Nelson, northeastwards to Hudson Bay.

The lake extends north–south for 425 km/265 mi, widening to 110 km/70 mi in the north, and narrowing to less than 3 km/2 mi at straits in its southern half. Its average depth is 15 m/50 ft, and maximum depth 217 m/713 ft. Hecla, Moose, and Reindeer are the largest islands.

The Winnipeg River enters the lake at the southeast corner and drains from the Lake of the Woods. Its lower reaches have many falls and rapids, and a number of hydroelectric plants.

Lake Agassiz, one of the largest prehistoric glacial lakes in North America, left behind wide flat deposits of fertile clay important to agriculture. Dense forests cover the western lakeshore, and the southern shore is a popular summer resort. Fishing is an important part of the lakeside economy. Winnipeg lies 40 km/25 mi southwest of the southern end of the lake. Europeans first saw the area in 1690.