Forest roads R1015 (North-South) and R1051 (East-West) are closest to the South side of the Nicobi River Valley.

The mouth of the lake is located on the northwest shore, near an island of 25 kilometres (16 mi) in length.

The course of the Nicobi River flows northward across some areas of marsh and through several sets of rapids into its lower half.

In the Innu language, Nicobi, like Nicabau (nekupau), would mean "with hay-covered earth points or wooded alders".

The toponym "Nicobi River" was formalized on December 5, 1968, at the Commission de toponymie du Québec, when it was created.