Middle Lake, considerably more shallow with an average depth of 1 m, has one island. The shoreline reline of Middle Lake is similar, but extensive wet meadow zones occur on the east and south shores. Basin Lake and the surrounding uplands are a proposed IBP site. The major public use of the area is waterfowl hunting on fields outside the Sanctuary boundary. Both lakes are heavily used by fall staging ducks and geese.
Middle Lake is too shallow and saline for fish.
Other recreational activities such as swimming, boating and picnicking are minimal. No recreational facilities exist to encourage these uses. This Sanctuary is a major staging area for waterfowl and swans. Breeding populations of ducks, both divers and dabblers, and Canada Geese on both lakes are restricted by the lack of suitable nesting habitat. Several hundred ducks, primarily divers, and geese use the lakes during their moulting period.