Distribution in Alaska is confined to the coastal transboundary river corridors of Southeast, such as the Taku and Stikine rivers, that originate in Canada. They are often found along grassy margins of lakes, rivers, and streams where they breed and hunt for food. Like all amphibians in Alaska, the spotted frog hibernates during the winter and becomes active and ready to mate when the warm weather of spring arrives. Adults congregate at breeding waters and the male attracts the female with a low bass-like drone. The male fertilizes the eggs externally as the female releases them into the water.
Adults are diurnal or active during daylight hours.
Spotted frogs are predators and hunt insects and other small animals for food. This hardy frog is very active and, along with Alaska's other frog and toad, must be considered beneficial to man. Together, these amphibians consume large quantities of noxious insects throughout the course of their lives. The wood frog is the most widely distributed frog in Alaska. Individuals have been observed from southeastern Alaska to north of the Brooks Range, inhabiting diverse vegetation from grasslands to forest, muskeg, and tundra.