Prince Rupert’s heritage as a thriving fishing community is recalled in the Cow Bay Shopping District. During the days when salmon canneries thrived all along the surrounding coast, and so much fresh halibut was shipped from Prince Rupert that it was famous as the “Halibut Capital of the World,” this was the home of the “Mosquito Fleet.” These small fishing vessels, tugboats, mission boats, passenger launches and other vessels lay at the heart of northern life and commerce. Here in Cow Bay there were boatyards building new vessels, and a network of marine shops servicing the needs of the Mosquito Fleet.

Officially Cameron Cove, this part of Prince Rupert was once known as “Vickersville.” Squatters settled here in the days when the downtown was strictly controlled by the railroad company. When a dairy was opened here in 1909, there was no dock and the cattle had to swim ashore. The dairy didn’t last long—but the name Cow Bay survived and today has become a theme in a trendy shopping district.

Today Cow Bay is a waterfront area of historic buildings, many of them built on pilings over the water. Though visitors will still find working marine shops providing services for the commercial fleet, Cow Bay is a trendy shopping district where visitors can book area tours, visit a variety of boutiques, including souvenir and gift shops, or relax in one of several restaurants and coffee shops. The Atlin Terminal shopping centre features the Ice House Gallery, an artists’ cooperative where visitors can browse through a wide selection of works by local artists.