It is located on and named after Lac du Cerf (Deer Lake).

In 1915 the first 2 settler families arrived and built their homes on the north shore of Petit Lac-du-Cerf (Little Deer Lake).

In 1919, two bridges were built over the Lièvre River at Île Longue (Long Island), connecting the new settlement to Notre-Dame-de-Pontmain by road.

[1] In January 1955, the Municipality of Lac-du-Cerf was created out of territory ceded from Saint-Aimé-du-Lac-des-Îles and Notre-Dame-de-Pontmain.

[1] Its first mayor was Joseph Boismenu, who in 1918, at 22 years of age, moved to Lac-du-Cerf together with his wife.