On the high elevations on the Isle of Bays grow shrubs, mainly snowberry and rose. The lake, island and the surrounding native prairie uplands are proposed IBP sites. The sanctuary in an important breeding and moulting area for dabbling ducks, as well as small numbers of Canada Geese. Breeding ducks include Mallard, Gradwall, Pintail, Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup and Ruddy Duck. It is also a spring and fall staging area for ducks and lesser numbers of Canada, White-fronted and Snow Geese, and Tundra Swans.
Many different shorebirds use the sanctuary.
Common breeding species are American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Killdeer and Willet. Species suspected to breed here include Spotted and Upland Sandpipers, Long-billed Curlew, Wilson's Phalarope, Common Snipe and the endangered Piping Plover. The sanctuary and the Isle of Bays are protected by Migratory Birds Convention Act. Also, the Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan detachment of the R.C.M.P. and conservation officers from the Saskatchewan Department of Parks and Renewable Resources patrol the sanctuary. Changing water levels alter the boundaries which make enforcement difficult.