[3] The Cree town of Mistissini is located on Watson Peninsula in the south-east corner of the lake, which separates Baie du Poste from Abatagouche Bay.

Extensive forests of spruce, birch, pine, and fir trees, which support a booming forestry industry, surround the lake.

Nevertheless, other variants persisted long after: for instance, the explorer James Clouston inscribed Mistassinnie in his diary of 1820, while the geologist Robert Bell mentioned in 1880 the name Misstissinny.

[5] The existence of this large lake was known to French explorers prior to its official discovery; Samuel de Champlain knew of it in 1603.

It was finally discovered by Europeans in 1663 as part of an expedition ordered by Governor D'Avaugour and led by Guillaume Couture (first settler of Pointe-Lévy (Lévis) and hero of New France).

[4] He was accompanied by Pierre Duquet and Jean Langlois, as well as by Native American guides; the whole group consisted of a fleet of 44 canoes.

[7] Their traditional hunting grounds, an area northeast of Lake Mistassini, were near the headwaters of the Eastmain River and just south of Noakokan.

[6] The earth-covered conical lodge, three house pits, and the remains of a log cabin were near the Matoush early winter camp (1953-1954), about mid-way on the west shore of Lake Indicator.

The earth-covered conical lodge was used by Matoush's parents, his siblings, and his own family c. 1915-1920 as an early winter camp from October to January.