Morse Creek is known to have produced a high diversity of salmon species in greater numbers than would be expected for a stream of its size. Morse basin was home to at least 8 separate ESU’s, including: recently extirpated Puget Sound Spring Chinook and possibly Bull Trout, both listed as “Threatened” under the ESA, Fall Coho, Summer Pink, Fall Chum, and Spring and Winter Steelhead, all listed as “Critical” by SaSI. (Information from WRIA 18 Watershed plan, 2004, sec 2.6, pp 27,28)

Surviving stocks include a unique pink salmon run, coho and steelhead. All are in severe decline (McHenry per com) due to negative impacts to habitat over the past 150 years. Coastal cutthroat trout are also present. While the effort to restore and improve stocks in the Morse basin will be expensive, its productivity potential and diversity warrants such efforts.