White River (Washington) - Natural History

Natural History

The White River and its tributaries provide habitat for salmon species including Chinook, Pink, Chum, and Coho salmon, as well as Bull, Rainbow, Steelhead, and Cutthroat trout. Pink and Chum salmon dominate the runs. Interestingly, though no large natural lakes occur in the basin, Sockeye salmon are also present in very small numbers. The White River Coho salmon are a mixed population of hatchery and wild fish. The native Puget Sound White River spring Chinook salmon (and Puyallup River fall Chinook that inhabit the River), Puget Sound winter Steelhead, and Puget Sound/Coastal Bull trout are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.