Charles Mill Lake is a quiet and enjoyable place for boating, camping, fishing, hunting, or hiking.

The lake primarily sees local use by nearby residents who fish or boat; the marina is accessible from St. Rt.

An attack took place within a mile of the dam site following the forced removal of the Piqua Indians from their homes in Greentown.

There is a historical marker in the day use area of the lake that recounts the stories of "Frontier Violence During the War of 1812" and "English-Allied Indian Attacks", and a monument honoring these events was erected on Route 603, near the dam.

Charles Mill Dam was constructed from 1935 to 1936 and is primarily for flood control, but is also used for recreation, and fish and wildlife management.