The Trout River originates in Sambaa K'e at an elevation of 490 metres (1,610 ft).

It flows north and then east, through occasional rapids, receiving the waters from several creeks and lakes.

The course becomes meandered before it is crossed by the Mackenzie Highway, where the river turns sharply west, then north.

It continues through a 60-metre (200 ft) deep canyon, then empties into the Mackenzie River, 60 kilometres (37 mi) downstream from Jean Marie River and 95 kilometres (59 mi) upstream from Mills Lake, at an elevation of 145 metres (476 ft).

This article related to a river in the Northwest Territories, Canada is a stub.