Prince Rupert

The city of Prince Rupert is located on the North Coast of British Columbia. This port city has a current population of around 13,000 individuals, but is a transportation hub for the North Coast area.

The city of Prince Rupert is situated about 30 miles south of Alaska, 90 miles from Terrace, and around 453 miles west of Prince George. It could be conveniently reached by taking the Yellowhead Highway 16 down to northwest coast of British Columbia.

The first record of human settlement dates back more than 10,000 years. The region was originally established by the First Nation People and, before European contact, the inner harbor of the city of Prince Rupert was the most populous area north of Mexico. The Tsimshian Nation, the original territory of the ingenious First Nation tribe, reached from Kitasoo all the way to the mouth of the Nass River in the North to the Skeena River in the East, which is located just past the city of Terrace.

Prince Rupert's founder, Charles Melville Hays, wished to establish a port for marine trade, in addition to sea and rail travel around the area. He was the president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company.

When the city established it's two main export terminals, the local economy grew quickly. The new economic prosperity also brought new tourists and expanded the small city's culture. The city of Prince Rupert is considered the Gateway to the North and is located on Kaien Island, which was uninhabited until around a century ago. It has access to some of the world's most spectacular view.

Every year, there are a lot of ocean-going freighters which pass through the deepwater harbour. Cargoes of lumber, grain, pulp, mineral ore, sulphur and coal are shipped globally from the city, and when the Pacific Rim trade grows the port's importance will increase as well.

For most of the months during the year the people of the city of Prince Rupert participate in ocean sport fishing. The fishing season runs from late April up to latter part of September, although big Chinook salmon, up to 60 lb., could be found until early August. From mid-July to mid-October is the best time to catch Coho salmon, that are smaller then the Chinook but fierce fighters. Pink salmon could be found from middle part of July to latter part of August. During 1995 the biggest chum salmon in the globe, weighing in at 35 lb., was caught. Halibut are also common here, as are Rockfish. One more famous hobby is crabbing for Dungeness crab.

The numerous lakes and rivers in the area provide great freshwater angling. The Skeena River is among these, offering Cutthroat, Dolly Vardan and Rainbow. The peak time stretches from the early part of July until mid-September.