The river begins at Big Shell Lake and travels in an easterly direction and flows into the Sturgeon River north of the city of Prince Albert.

The upper reaches of its watershed are as far west as the Thickwood Hills.

[3] Shell River begins in the RM of Spiritwood No.

From Shell Lake, the Shell River heads north towards Big River 118A Indian reserve and then loops back down south passing through Ahtahkakoop 104 Indian reserve where it begins heading in an eastward direction.

Along this leg of the route, it is joined by several tributaries, enters the RM of Shellbrook No.