Burnt Mills is 711 acres and dates back to the early 1940s. The upper half of the lake is very stumpy and caution is required when motoring through the lake. The main tributary (Great Swamp) is a dense cypress swamp. The lake has good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, chain pickerel, black crappie, and redear sunfish. Fish population surveys indicate most species have remained stable in terms of numbers and average size for the past ten years. Yellow perch appear to be increasing in abundance.

There is a gravel ramp, with improved parking, located just north of the intersection of Everets Road and Kirk Road, a few miles west of Route 10/32. City of Norfolk Boat permits are required, and gas motors (up to 9.9 horsepower) are allowed. The City of Norfolk has amended their codes to allow boats with outboard motors larger than 9.9 horse power to access the lake if the outboard is disabled (prop removed or fuel removed).The boat ramp and lake are open sunrise to sunset.