This work investigates the complex life cycle, migratory patterns, and biological development of the Atlantic salmon within the context of its natural environment. J.W. Jones, a noted authority on salmonid biology, synthesizes years of field observation and experimental research to document the species' behavior from spawning to maturity. The text provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the physiological adaptations required for the salmon's transition between freshwater and marine habitats.

As part of the long-running Collins New Naturalist series, this volume is regarded as a foundational text for those studying British freshwater fish. The research provides a dense, technical overview that remains a standard reference for biologists and naturalists interested in salmonid ecology.