The current of this river crosses the territory of: The Mitchinamecus River originates at the southern limit of the township of Dandurand and south of the municipality of Parent, in Haut-Saint-Maurice, in Mauricie.

Head Lake is located 6.2 kilometres (3.9 mi) south of a bay in Dandurand Lake (altitude: 423 metres (1,388 ft)), west of Margaret Lake (altitude: 561 metres (1,841 ft)), and 27.5 kilometres (17.1 mi) southeast of the village of Parent, 31 kilometres (19 mi) at northwest of Manouane Lake and 44.1 kilometres (27.4 mi) north of Mitchinamecus Reservoir.

The lower segments of the Mitchinamecus River are navigated by canoeists in whitewater.

The term Mitchinamecus refers to a zec, a river, a reservoir and a dam.

Formerly, the Mitchinamecus river was also designated: The toponym Rivière Mitchinamecus was formalized on September 12, 1986 at the Bank of Place Names of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.