Economy Subsistence is an important part of the local economy. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, waterfowl and berries are harvested. Most cash jobs are with the school, local government, BLM emergency fire fighting, commercial fishing or fish processing. 19 residents hold commercial fishing permits. A seafood processing plant is under construction in Kaltag.
Barges typically deliver heavy cargo three times a year.
Snowmachines, ATVs and riverboats are used for local transportation. The frozen river, local trails and the 90-mile Old Mail Trail to Unalakleet are used during the winter for woodcutting and trap lines. The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. Sustained temperatures of -40 degrees are common during winter. Extreme temperatures have been measured from -55 to 90.