[7][2] The lake is part of the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve, a 237,100 hectares (586,000 acres) protected area.

Most of it is covered by reeds, except for a few lobes in the northwest and northeast, Kokai, Sultankeldy and Isey, where the surface is relatively free of vegetation.

[2] [11] There are large reed beds scattered on mud islands almost completely covering the southern part with a mesh of open channels and ponds in between.

Owing to these mud islands Korgalzhyn is an important wetland site for migratory water birds, such as different species of gulls, terns, ducks and grebes, including the northernmost colony of greater flamingo.

[8] Unlike barren neighboring lake Tengiz, Korgalzhyn is abundant in fish fauna.