Big Shell Lake is in the RM of Spiritwood No.

496 and the resort villages of Big Shell and Echo Bay are on the south-eastern and eastern shore.

The lake's main inflow begins in the Thickwood Hills[3] and flows east into the south-western corner of the lake.

[4][5] Big Shell Lake Recreation Site (53°11′57″N 107°08′17″W / 53.1991°N 107.1381°W / 53.1991; -107.1381)[6] is a provincial recreation site on the north-west corner of the lake.

[7][8] Fish commonly found in the lake include burbot, northern pike, and walleye.