The lake is about 20 miles (32 km) west of the town of Whitefish.

[2] It is a popular lake for recreational activities including fishing, boating, swimming and cliff jumping, and hiking on the surrounding trails, and is notable for its great depth and unusual geology.

[2][5] Despite its large volume, the lake tends to be warm in late summer because its waters are darkly colored due to high levels of tannins (which are harmless).

These cause the lake to absorb and retain more heat than comparatively clearer bodies of water in the region.

These include whitefish, perch, and brook, lake and rainbow trout.