The Bear River Bay IBA includes 142,268 acres and is approximately 4,200 feet in elevation. Establishment criteria are based on results from 12 survey areas that were part of the Great Salt Lake Waterbird Survey from 1997 through 2001. Although recent survey records are impressive, bird numbers were undoubtedly higher before large numbers of humans settled the area. In 1843 when Captain John C. Fremont visited the area he commented on the large numbers of waterfowl seen and heard. His party shot ducks, geese, pelicans, and plovers for food. He commented that the large number of birds rising at a distance of up to a mile when a shot was fired sounded like distant thunder.

Bear River Bay is the freshest region considered for IBA status on the Great Salt Lake and receives the largest volume of freshwater inflow via the Bear River. The Bear River provides the Great Salt Lake with 40% of its water supply. The description of Bear River Bay is adapted from “Avian Ecology of Great Salt Lake” by Tom Aldrich and Don Paul. Bear River Bay is bounded on the north and east by state, federal, and private wetlands, on the south by industry, and to the west by the Promontory Mountains. This bay is fresh enough to support a community of sego pondweed and widgeon grass with significant islands of emergent wetlands of vital importance to the fish that persists when the lake elevation is higher than 4,200 feet (1,280.2 m) above sea level. These marsh habitats support a complex of fish eating birds. With its species richness, diversity and overall bird abundance, this area continually provides one of the most magnificent displays of bird life on the lake.

Bear River Bay is recognized as a Globally Important Bird Area.

Due to many factors including the large water flow, the large wetland and upland complex and relatively isolated area, the Bear River Bay IBA provides exceptional habitat for waterbirds. Bear River Bay provides habitat for a large number of the world's total population of specific bird species including: White-faced Ibis, Marbled Godwit, American White Pelican, Tundra Swan, American Avocet, Wilson's Phalarope, California Gull, Cinnamon Teal, Western Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Gadwall, Black-necked Stilt, Green-winged Teal, Western Grebe, Forster's Tern, Franklin's Gull, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, and Redhead. Bear River Bay also has the largest number of Canada Geese breeding population on Great Salt Lake. Furthermore, according to the article by Tom Aldrich and Don Paul ("Avian Ecology of Great Salt Lake" referenced above) approximately 60% of the breeding population of Canada Geese in Utah occurs at Great Salt Lake.

Threats include water diversions, water quality (pollution, toxins, and botulism), expansion of mineral extraction ponds and invasive species. In 1997, over 500,000 ducks died from botulism; this is five times more than fledged from local marshes.