[1] It is directly to the west of Banks Peninsula, separated from the Pacific Ocean by the long, narrow, sandy Kaitorete Spit.

[6] Lake Ellesmere has become a well-known bird watching location for certain rare species, such as the Australasian Bittern, Marsh Crake and Kotuku.

[6][7] Waterfowl are also prominent residents on the lake, with native species including Paradise Shelduck, New Zealand Scaup, Australasian Shoveler and Grey Teal.

The food sources of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora were once abundant and included tuna (eels), pātiki (flounder) and aua (mullet).

Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora was a famed mahinga manu wai māori (place for taking waterfowl).

While it remains a mahinga kai, its yields have been significantly reduced due to the periodic drainage of the lake in order to maintain reclaimed land and pasture.

In 2007 an assessment of the cultural health of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora was undertaken as a combined effort by Ngai Tahu and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

[15] Results for E. coli levels are also poor with 42% of sites associated with the lake failing national recreational guide standards for water quality.