East Lynn Lake is located in Wayne County, 10 miles south of the city of Wayne on State Route 37. It is created by an earthen dam on the East Fork of Twelvepole Creek. The lake is 12 miles long, has a surface area of 1,005 acres of water at the summer maximum, and 44 miles of shoreline. Although constructed primarily for flood control, East Lynn has many recreational facilities including a campground, picnic areas, and hiking. Most of these areas are handicapped accessible. Boating is popular, and three launch sites are available for public use at the project. Boat and boat slip rentals are provided by a private marina. East Lynn Lake is one of the best places in West Virginia for catching muskie, crappie, hybrid striped bass, large-mouth bass, and channel catfish.

East Lynn Lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which built the dam in 1969. An additional 22,928 acres of land is managed by the state as the East Lynn Lake Wildlife Management Area.