Lake James supports a variety of plants and animals, as it has woodlands and wetlands adjacent to its waters.
 Pokagon State Park, originally named Lake James State Park when it was proposed in 1925, is located by the lake.
 As of 2003, the park's forest consists of sugar and red maple trees, and has an average density of 155 trees per 1 acre (0.40 ha).
The park has its own swamps and marshes—and many are spring fed.
 A variety of animals can be found in the park and surrounding area.
A partial list of animals found locally includes Blanding's turtles, northern leopard frogs, massasauga rattle-snakes, and the star-nosed mole.
White-tailed deer and raccoons have high enough populations that they have to be managed.
Beavers, coyotes, and foxes can also be found.

Lake James and the surrounding lakes are the home for a variety of birds.
Common birds such as ducks, geese, gulls, and purple martins can be found when the lake is not frozen.
Migrating birds such as loons, grebes, and double-crested cormorants can also be observed, typically during autumn.
 Hawks and red-headed woodpeckers can be seen year around, as can barred and great horned owls.
Several bald eagles were sighted on the lake in 2006.
Other birds that can be observed, especially around Pokagon State Park, include brown creepers, veeries, several types of warblers, bluebirds, Carolina wrens, Baltimore orioles, and pileated woodpeckers.
Lake James supports a variety of plants and animals, as it has woodlands and wetlands adjacent to its waters.  Pokagon State Park, originally named Lake James State Park when it was proposed in 1925, is located by the lake.  As of 2003, the park's forest consists of sugar and red maple trees, and has an average density of 155 trees per 1 acre (0.40 ha). The park has its own swamps and marshes—and many are spring fed.  A variety of animals can be found in the park and surrounding area. A partial list of animals found locally includes Blanding's turtles, northern leopard frogs, massasauga rattle-snakes, and the star-nosed mole. White-tailed deer and raccoons have high enough populations that they have to be managed. Beavers, coyotes, and foxes can also be found.
Lake James and the surrounding lakes are the home for a variety of birds. Common birds such as ducks, geese, gulls, and purple martins can be found when the lake is not frozen. Migrating birds such as loons, grebes, and double-crested cormorants can also be observed, typically during autumn.  Hawks and red-headed woodpeckers can be seen year around, as can barred and great horned owls. Several bald eagles were sighted on the lake in 2006. Other birds that can be observed, especially around Pokagon State Park, include brown creepers, veeries, several types of warblers, bluebirds, Carolina wrens, Baltimore orioles, and pileated woodpeckers.
Lake James (Indiana)