Lake Winnipegosis

For the similarly named lake in Minnesota, USA, see Lake Winnibigoshish.

Lake Winnipegosis
map
Location	Manitoba
Coordinates	52°30′N 100°00′W
Primary inflows	Red Deer, Woody, Swan
Primary outflows	Waterhen River
Catchment area	49,825 km² (19,237 mi²)
Basin countries	Canada
Max. length	240 km (150 mi)
Max. width	51 km (32 mi)
Surface area	5,370 km² (2,075 mi²)
Max. depth	18 m (60 ft)
Surface elevation	254 m (833 ft)
Settlements	Camperville Winnipegosis

Lake Winnipegosis is a large (5,370 km²) lake in central North America, in Manitoba, Canada, some 300 km northwest of Winnipeg. It is Canada's eleventh-largest lake. An alternate spelling, once common but now rare, is Lake Winipigoos or simply 'Lake Winipigis'.

The elongated, 240 kilometre long lake is the second-largest of three large lakes in central Manitoba; the other two are Lake Winnipeg, the largest, and Lake Manitoba. All three lakes are on the floor of the prehistoric Glacial Lake Agassiz.

The lake's watershed extends over some 49,825 km² in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Tributaries include the Red Deer, Woody, and Swan rivers. The lake drains through the Waterhen River into Lake Manitoba, and is thus part of the Lake Winnipeg, Nelson River, and Hudson Bay watersheds.

The lake's name derives from that of Lake Winnipeg, with a diminutive suffix. Winnipeg means 'big muddy waters' and Winnipegosis means 'little muddy waters'.

The lake is famous for its commercial fishery of walleye and other freshwater species. Northern pike and mullet together now account for over 80 percent of its commercial fishing. It is also well known for its migratory bird populations, which make it a prime hunting area in the fall.

Communities on the lake include Camperville and Winnipegosis. Winnipegosis is a village on the south end of the lake. The population is about 700 people.