The vast majority of Long Lake is within the boundaries of the Indiana Dunes National Park, although a small area at the eastern end in Ogden Dunes is used by the American Water company for a water purification plant Along the southern edge of the lake the Norfolk Southern railway, South Shore Line railway, and U.S. Route 12 highway run in parallel.

[7] A recreational fishery also flourished on the lake in the early 20th century, when a more diverse biota was present than today, including largemouth bass and yellow perch.

[9] The shores of the western section of Long Lake are dominated by monospecific stands of cattails.

[8] Species found in recent surveys have included green sunfish, bluegill, black bullhead, golden shiner, common carp and fathead minnow.

[11] There has been an unconfirmed sighting of the rare Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake near Long Lake as well,[11] and the slender glass lizard is found nearby.