The Clallam River supports populations of coho, chum, and Chinook salmon as well as steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout.

The river's lower course runs parallel to the sea, behind the gravel bars.

Over the years the river repeatedly breaks through the barrier in different places, usually during periods of high stream flow.

Sometimes migrating fish are trapped behind gravel barriers at the river's mouth.

The Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition had a channel cleared through the gravel bar, allowing the fish to escape.