largest lake in Quebec province, Canada. It is located in Nord-du-Québec region in west-central Quebec and forms the headwaters of the Rupert River, which drains into James Bay. Bisected by a chain of islands, the lake is about 100 miles (160 km) long, 12 miles (19 km) wide, and 902 square miles (2,335 square km) in area. The lake was discovered in 1672 by the French missionary-explorer Charles Albanel. Its Indian name means “great stone,” referring to a large rock in the lake. Mistassini Post and an Anglican mission are located at its south end.