The Waswanipi Lake aquatic reserve is located in the administrative region of Nord-du-Québec. Covering an area of 577.4 km², it lies about 35 km southwest of the Cree community of Waswanipi and 50 km northeast of the municipality of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, between 49° 27’ and 49° 43’ north latitude and between 76° 17’ and 76° 42’ west longitude.