Bas-Saint-Laurent counts 2,417 lakes, of which 90% do not exceed an area of . About 30% of them are situated in the RCM of Rimouski-Neigette. The two largest lakes of the region are Lake Témiscouata () and Lake Matapedia (), significant human settlement on their shore has taken place, as well as along the roads going through their valleys. These lakes also distinguish themselves by their north west and south west orientation, compared to most of the other lakes of the region which prefer to follow the orientation of the creases and breaks of the Appalachian Mountains.