[2] There are several small communities and recreational opportunities around Emma Lake and much of the northern half is within Great Blue Heron Provincial Park.

The northern section is mostly within Great Blue Heron Provincial Park and includes Fairy Island Wildlife Refuge (53°37′07″N 105°56′47″W / 53.6187°N 105.9463°W / 53.6187; -105.9463)[4] and the small community of Okema Beach.

Cattle Island separates the northern section from the central one and Murray Point and McPhail Cove are found there.

Anglin, Emma, and Christopher Lakes historically have experienced extreme variations in seasonal water levels.

The 10-kilometre diversion channel begins at a pumphouse about one kilometre north-east of Spruce River Dam on Anglin Lake.

Fish commonly found in the lake include walleye, northern pike, white sucker, and yellow perch.