The rivière aux Canots is a tributary of the east bank of the Métabetchouane River, flowing in the unorganized territory of Belle-Rivière, in the Lac-Saint-Jean-Est Regional County Municipality, in the administrative region of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, in the province of Quebec, in Canada.

The surface of the Rivière aux Canots (except the rapids areas) is usually frozen from the end of November to the beginning of April, however the safe circulation on the ice is generally done from mid-December to the end of March.

The main watersheds neighboring the Rivière aux Canots are: The Rivière aux Canots rises at the mouth of Lake Staffieri (length: 0.9 kilometres (0.56 mi); altitude: 435 metres (1,427 ft)) in the shape of a U due to almost island attached to the north shore and stretching 0.3 kilometres (0.19 mi) to the south.

From its source, the course of Rivière aux Canots descends on 27.3 kilometres (17.0 mi), with a drop of 105 metres (344 ft), according to the following segments: From the confluence of the Aux Canots river, the current descends the Métabetchouane River north on 38.3 kilometres (23.8 mi) to the south shore of lac Saint-Jean; from there, the current crosses the latter on 22.8 kilometres (14.2 mi) towards the northeast, then borrows the course of the Saguenay River via La Petite Décharge on 172.3 kilometres (107.1 mi) until Tadoussac where it merges with the Saint Lawrence estuary.

[1] The toponym "Rivière aux Canots" is associated with the use of this watercraft and body of water The toponym “Rivière aux Canots” was formalized on December 5, 1968, at the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.