Bras d’Or, saltwater lake of central Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. The lake is 70 km (43 mi) long and has an area of 1,100 sq km (420 sq mi). It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by two narrow channels to the north. The Saint Peters Canal connects it with the ocean to the south. The Mi’kmaq were the first people to settle along its shores. Today, Bras d'Or is a popular location for fishing and other recreational activities. The lake's name comes from the word labrador, which once referred to an area that included parts of Nova Scotia.