Lake Péribonka is located about 140 kilometres (87 mi) northeast of Lac Saint-Jean.

During World War II, the Alcan company developed a hydroelectric plant on the Péribonka River to increase its electric power for aluminum production in Saguenay.

Between 1941 and 1943, a dam was erected upstream of the "Passes Dangereuses", located about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) downstream (south) of Péribonka Lake.

Formerly, this body of water was designated "Manouan" in native language, meaning "where we collect eggs".

[1] The toponym "Lake Péribonka" was formalized on December 18, 1986 at the Bank of Place Names of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.