Dolbeau-Mistassini is in the Maria-Chapdelaine Regional County Municipality and is the commercial hub of Lac-St-Jean with big stores and shopping centres.

In 1892, the Trappists of Oka were granted 2,025 hectares (5,000 acres) of land between the Mistassini and Mistassibi Rivers by the government of Charles Boucher de Boucherville.

During the construction of the Chute-des-Passes Dam on the Peribonka River in 1944, it experienced commercial growth and gained city status in 1947.

The town, incorporated in 1927, was named after Jean Dolbeau (1586–1652), Récollet missionary in the Tadoussac and Lac Saint-Jean area from 1615 to 1617 and from 1618 to 1620.

Population trend:[10] The main source of employment in Dolbeau is a paper mill factory.

The following are the attractions in Dolbeau-Mistassini: A symbol of the Lac Saint-Jean region, the blueberry is celebrated during this festival every year between August 3 and 7.

Mistassini has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with mild summers and cold winters.

March remains a winter month as spring is delayed until April, when a rapid warmup ensues that brings summer average highs to about 24 °C (75 °F).