Lac Saint-Jean

The lake is fed by dozens of small rivers, including the Ashuapmushuan, the Mistassini[?], the Péribonka[?], the Des Aulnaies[?], the Métabetchouan[?], and the Ouiatchouane[?]. The towns on its shores include Alma, Dolbeau-Mistassini[?], Roberval[?], Normandin, and Saint-Félicien[?].

The lake was initially named Piékougami (Flat Lake) by the Kakouchak Innu who lived on its shores. It was given its French name after Jean Dequen, a Jesuit missionary who in 1647 was the first European to reach its shores.

Industry on the lake was dominated with the fur trade[?] until the 19th century. Colonization began in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region in the early 1800s and continued intensively until the early 20th century. Industry was mainly forestry and agriculture. In the 20th century, pulp and paper[?] mills and aluminum smelting rose to importance, encouraged by hydroelectric dams at Alma and on the Péribonka River. Lac Saint-Jean also has an important summer resort and sport-fishing industry.