Kam Lake is located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and is accessible via the Kam Lake Boat Launch, which provides a put-in point for canoes and kayaks. The lake is considered safe for recreational paddling, and catch-and-release fishing from a canoe or kayak is also regarded as acceptable.

The most significant consideration for paddlers is water quality. Kam Lake has documented arsenic contamination, with levels measured at approximately 50 times the drinking water standard — a legacy of its proximity to the Giant Mine remediation area. While paddling on the surface of the lake is not considered a health risk, direct ingestion of the water or contact with lakebed mud poses a genuine hazard. Paddlers should not drink the water under any circumstances, including using it to prepare food or beverages. Dogs and other animals should not be allowed to drink from the lake. The risk is specifically tied to ingestion rather than skin contact during normal paddling activity, but caution around splashing, capsizing, or any scenario involving swallowing water is warranted.

Given the contamination history, paddlers should treat this lake with appropriate awareness and take standard precautions: avoid swimming, keep hands away from the face while on the water, and wash hands thoroughly after paddling. The contamination does not affect the physical act of paddling itself, but it is a defining characteristic of the lake that anyone planning a trip should factor into their decision-making.