The Lake provides significant benefits in fish and wildlife and recreational uses. Located at the confluence of the Buckhorn, Guy Sandy, and Rock Creeks, the area presents unusual opportunities, combining recreational use with scenic, scientific, and historical values. The Arbuckle Mountains are the highest part of a large area of Precambrian granites and overlying sedimentary strata that were uplifted and deformed some 300 million years ago. Subsequent erosion has exposed features which make the area an outstanding laboratory for students of geology. The Lake of the Arbuckles is one of the best fishing lakes in Oklahoma for catfish, perch, bass, and crappie.
Protective coves are good for trotlines, the water is unusually clear, and trolling is popular.
Since the primary need for withdrawal of water from the reservoir is for municipal and industrial water supplies, the lake is not subjected to drastic drawdowns during the summer months. The wildlife area is a habitat for turkey, deer, and small game birds. Hunting is allowed in season. Wildlife management includes over 1,100 acres of land and 60 acres of water surface. The Lake of the Arbuckles has been a very popular recreation area since initial filling of the reservoir.