Adults return from late June through late July and spawn through early September. Young rear in lakes for one or two years before entering the sea where they usually remain for three years before returning to a freshwater lake to spawn. Pink or humpback salmon also occur throughout the management area with largest runs in Norton Sound streams. Pink salmon spawn during July and August. Young emerge the following spring and migrate directly to the sea where they remain for one year before returning to fresh water to spawn.
Adults are therefore two years old at spawning.
Runs in the management area fluctuate drastically between years usually alternating between very strong and very weak returns. The current cycle is strong on even numbered years and weak on odd numbered years. Sport fisheries have been closed during some weak year returns. Arctic grayling are ubiquitous throughout the Northwestern Management Area. This species is a resident in streams, and although they may undertake seasonal migrations for spawning and feeding within a watershed, never migrate through full strength salt water.