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Shelter Bay Cabin
A 12 x 20-foot rustic cabin.
Sleeps 6, table, wood stove, oil stove, splitting maul, saw, rainwater catchment barrel, outhouse.
No running water, electricity, mattress or bedding, cooking utensils, or cut firewood.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | Cabin reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 (518-885-3639 overseas) or visiting www.recreation.gov. Cabin reservations (check-in & check out time) are from noon to noon. |
|---|---|
| Fees: | Per night prices range from $50-75 (2018 prices) depending on season. Cabin fees are based on non-peak/peak season. Seasons vary by cabin. A non-refundable service fee will be added to each reservation by Recreation.gov |
| Closest Towns: | Cordova |
| Water: | rainwater barrel |
| Restroom: | outhouse |
| Information Center: |
Cordova Ranger District |
General Information
Directions:Cabin is located on the Southwest shore of Shelter Bay on Hinchinbrook Island. Access is by float plane at high tide (20 minutes from Cordova) or wheeled plane at low tide (landing strip located 350 yards north of the cabin).
Access by boat (50 miles from Cordova). Boaters should inquire about local conditions before entering the bay. Please consult local tide table. Click here for local tide information. (Click Predictions Johnstone Point on Hinchinbrook Island in Prince William Sound.)
General Notes:
In fall, winter, and early spring, the cabin may be inaccessible due to frozen lake surface (float planes cannot land). Please contact the local Forest Service Ranger District office for information prior to making reservations during these periods. From August 1 - 31, only one reservation per person is permitted.
Located on tidal bay. Surrounded by low hills, spruce-hemlock forest and muskeg openings.
Inclement weather conditions may cause an extension of your trip during any time of the year and winter access can be difficult due to snow and ice conditions. Bring extra supplies to last 2-5 days. Bring initial supply of water. Boil surface water 5 minutes before drinking. Bringing a personal cooking stove is recommended. Remember to pack out your trash. You can contact a U.S. Forest Service office to receive more detailed information on safety precautions.
Activities
Cabin Rentals
| Reservation required?: | Y |
|---|---|
| Permit required?: | Y |
River and Stream Fishing
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Pink Salmon
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Chum Salmon
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Cutthroat Trout
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Dolly Varden Char
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Coho Salmon
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July - Mid August
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July - Mid August
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July - Mid August
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July - Mid August
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August - Mid September
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The outlet channel of Shelter Bay has been a highly popular coho salmon fishing site. Back when the limit was six coho, there were plenty of anglers flying in for day trips from Anchorage. To protect the run, the number you can keep has been reduced to one coho salmon per day and one in possession. This has cut down on the fishing pressure and provides a more enjoyable experience if you’re just interested in catch and release and one fish for dinner. Pink and chum salmon start to show up at the outlet in early July.
The inlet creek at the far end of the bay is also a good spot to catch pink salmon, chum salmon, and Dolly Varden. It should be noted, however, that there is considerable evidence that brown bears believe this to be a productive fishing area as well. Before fishing there, I would make a lot of noise to avoid surprising any bears snoozing in the tall grass, taking an after-lunch siesta.
If you’d prefer to stick around the outlet creek, excellent results can be had fly fishing for sea-run cutthroat trout up to 16 inches, although they probably get a few inches bigger. For some reason they could not resist this little purple wooly worm with white rubber legs. The cutts hit other flies, but there was something about those silly white legs that drove them nuts and kept them coming.
| Fees: | For sport fishing regulations visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game web page at Alaska Department of Fish and Game |
|---|---|
| Permit required?: | Y |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate to Difficult |