The river's source is the dam at Candle Lake, near Candle Lake Provincial Park,[2] and it travels east through boreal forest[3] and muskeg en route to its mouth in the Saskatchewan River Delta.

[4] The river begins at the south-east corner of Candle Lake from a dam at Hanson Bay near Minowakaw Beach Campground[5] in the RM of Paddockwood No.

[6] Less than a mile after the river starts, it crosses Highway 120, leaves the RM of Paddockwood, and enters the RM of Torch River No.

It travels in a generally eastward direction through muskeg and boreal forest and along the way, it is joined by several tributaries, including White Gull Creek, Stewart Creek, White Fox River, and Missipuskiow River and crosses Highway 106 near Fyson Lake.

As it passes Tobin Lake, it enters into the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District and meets up with the Saskatchewan River downstream shortly thereafter.