It lies about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) west of East Shining Tree Lake.

[3] In the past West Shining Tree Lake was on an Ojibway canoe route from Bear Island, Temagami, to the Mattagami First Nation, north of Gogama.

[4] The region is at an elevation of 340 to 360 metres (1,120 to 1,180 ft) above sea level, with gently undulating terrain of rounded hills sculpted by glacial action.

Average annual rainfall is 805 millimetres (31.7 in) The land is covered by typical boreal forest vegetation.

[5] The land around the lake has stable populations of black bear and moose, and plentiful grouse, snowshoe hare and duck.

[2] There are several tourist resorts that offer housekeeping cabins, boat rentals and other services.