Rex Lake is part of the Portage Lakes system located in northeastern Ohio. The lake serves as a training location for paddling programs, with the Akron Sail & Power Squadron conducting kayak training sessions at Craftsmen Park (4450 Rex Lake Road, Akron).

The lake hosts the Dragon Dream Team, a group that practices dragon boat paddling three times per week. Their regular presence indicates the lake is suitable for organized paddling activities and group events.

A key access point is located at Craftsmen Park, which provides dedicated facilities for launching watercraft. Paddlers should note that in Ohio, all canoes and kayaks must be registered and operators must follow state boating laws, including requirements for life jackets, lights, and sound signals.

The Portage Lakes region, which includes Rex Lake, has historical significance dating back to Native American times. The lakes were originally built as feeder reservoirs for the Ohio Canal system, maintaining a required depth of 4 feet until the Great Flood of 1913. After their canal-related use ended, the lakes served local industries before being transferred to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in 1949.

The area offers quality fishing opportunities, with species including largemouth bass, pickerel, pan fish, channel catfish, bullhead, and carp. The surrounding landscape features beech-maple forests that support diverse wildlife, including white-tailed deer, raccoons, and various waterfowl species. During spring and fall migration periods, the lakes attract significant numbers of geese and other waterfowl.

Paddlers should be aware that the Portage Lakes system includes multiple interconnected bodies of water, making it possible to extend trips beyond Rex Lake itself. The lakes sit at one of Ohio's highest points and straddle a major watershed divide, with some water flowing toward Lake Erie and some toward the Ohio River.