Lake Melville is a large tidal body of water in central Labrador, situated on the edge of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Its extensive shoreline and numerous inlets make it a destination for kayakers and canoeists of varying experience levels, with the lake's scale also accommodating motorboats and sailboats. Because Lake Melville is tidal, understanding tidal patterns is considered essential for safe navigation, and paddlers should plan their trips with tidal cycles in mind.

The community of North West River sits along the lake and serves as a practical base for paddlers, with a public dock used as a launch point. Boat tours of the lake depart from this area as well. The surrounding region offers cultural points of interest, including the Labrador Heritage Society Museum in North West River, which features displays on the Hudson Bay Company and traditional hunting and trapping, and the nearby Labrador Interpretation Centre, which focuses on Indigenous and Settler cultures.

Summer is the primary paddling season, with the lake drawing both local and visiting paddlers during the warmer months. In winter, the lake freezes and is used for ice fishing and snowmobiling, making open-water paddling a warm-season activity. Guided excursions and tours in the area are available, and booking well in advance is recommended given the remote nature of the region.

The lake connects to Goose Bay and receives outflow from rivers including those draining the Hamilton and Mecatina Plateaux, giving it a broad geographic context within the Labrador interior. Hydrographic surveys of the lake bottom were updated as recently as 2017, replacing data that had not been revised since the 1950s, which is relevant for boaters and paddlers navigating deeper or less-familiar sections of the lake.