Teslin Lake sits in southern Yukon near the town of Teslin, where the Alaska Highway crosses the region. The lake drains northward into the Teslin River at Johnson's Crossing, approximately 51 kilometres from Teslin toward Whitehorse, making this crossing a natural transition point for paddlers moving from lake to river travel. A dock and boat launch are available in Teslin itself, providing a practical access point for those paddling the lake.

The lake is oligotrophic, meaning it carries low nutrient levels that support plankton at low densities. This characteristic shapes the fishery: species present include lake trout, whitefish, salmon, and round whitefish, with some reports of sturgeon. Lake trout in such nutrient-poor Yukon lakes grow slowly and reach reproductive maturity late, which is worth noting for anyone fishing alongside paddling.

Nisutlin Bay is a notable geographic feature of the lake. The surrounding area includes the town of Teslin, home to the George Johnston Museum and the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre at Nàgas'ê X'àyi (Fox Point), both of which speak to the deep cultural history of the region. Before the Alaska Highway was built, Teslin Lake served as a primary travel corridor, with boats carrying supplies to trading posts and transporting families to hunting, fishing, and trapping areas. Klondike-era stampeders and Canadian military personnel also used the lake as part of the water route to Dawson City.

Camping options in the area include a campground roughly 10 miles from the lake at approximately $5 per night, Morley Bay about 50 kilometres south of Teslin on the Alaska Highway, and Johnson's Crossing Campground near the lake's outlet. Paddlers continuing beyond the lake onto the Teslin River can access outfitter services and canoe rentals through operators based in Whitehorse.