The Lake Chini area comprises over 200 hectares of open water, 700 hectares of freshwater swamp and swamp forest. In addition to the abundance of lotus, thickets of Pandanus helicopus or Rasau are common towards the margins, along with the occasional water lilies.

Encounters with freshwater turtles are common, including the Malayan Soft Shelled Turtle (Amyda cartilaginea) and the Spiny Terrapin (Heosemys spinosa).

The surrounding forests are rich in wildlife. In the dipterocarp forest primates such as the Banded Langur (Presbytis melalophos), the handsome White-handed Gibbon (Hylobates Lar), the ubiquitous Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and the Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina) may be encountered. The latter species is a common pet of Orang Asli of the Jakun tribe, who still live off the lake and its surroundings.

The status of larger mammals in the area, such as Elephant, Tiger and Tapir is unclear.

Curiously the lake does not seem so attractive to bird life. However common forest-edge species such as bulbuls, orioles and bee-eaters are present, and various kingfishers may be seen, including the uncommon Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting. Overhead, the rare Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) still swoop low for fish.

The lake also serves as an important breeding ground for fish species which upon reaching adulthood, would populate the Pahang River. Their migration is now largely unimpeded by the previously dammed mouth of the Sungai Chini.