Women on the Barge

I recently took a field trip to the Great Alma fishing float to check it out prior to our fishing outing scheduled for June 13th – 14th. I found that Alma is a cute little river town with several nice campgrounds and hotels. I drove down the main street which is also HWY 35. It was easy to find River road and the parking area for the shuttle to the boat. The shuttle is a multi – passenger boat and picks you up right at the dock. The boat then crosses the mighty Mississippi and docks at the great Alma fishing float. The float is a series of docks with a structure in the middle. The float does not move and is stationary. The structure has a small restaurant, a bait shop, and two bunk rooms each having two sets of bunk beds. The beds have mattresses but no bedding. There is a covered area open on both sides with a picnic table and grills. There are several lounge chairs scattered about and benches along the docks. The restaurant serves a nice breakfast I can personally recommend.

The float has a dock that extends out to the shore line on the MN side of the river. That area has room to pitch a tent or to walk the shore line. You can also access the wing dam on feet from that location. The dock has a gate that can be closed to keep non event goers off the float.

The bathroom on the float consist of two porta potties. I checked them out and was pleased to find them clean and adequate. There is a fish cleaning station as well but no drinking water. The owners were more than helpful and very friendly. There is a place for boat to dock up to if someone had a desire to bring a boat. One thing to note is that once the other patrons leave the float for the day there will not be any way off the float until the next morning unless you bring a boat. The passenger boat does not operate after the regular hours. The there is a boat landing approx 1 mile downstream from the float. There would not be room for everyone to bring a boat but there is room for a couple so if you are thinking you would like to bring your boat please let me know.

Now for the important news. Although I did not have time to fish while I was there I did see numerous fish being caught. I saw northern, walleye, sauger, smallmouth, white bass, sheep head, suckers all be caught during the hour I was there. The day before someone landed a 50 pound sturgeon. There were a few people who had spent the night and said the fishing really turned on about 4 –5 am. Most people were fishing right off the bottom using 3 way rigs or lead head hair jigs. Most had rod holders and set one pole and held the other. You are only allowed two lines in the water on the float due to MN regulations. Either a MN or WI license is good but you must have a license from the state you live in. They do sell bait, lures, and they rent poles and rod holders in the bait shop. Nets are scattered through out for all to use.

While I was there I had the pleasure to meet a famous angler who was on board. Her name was “Annie” and she has quite the reputation on the float. She is from MN and spends the summer renting a house in Alma and comes to the float several times per week with her husband. Annie is very friendly and walks about the float talking to other anglers. She is an older gray haired women with a permanent smile and a sparkle in her eye. The catch is she puts her line in the water while chatting and ends up catching lots of fish. She out fishes nearly everyone on the float and people are often in awe on how she can be fishing next to them and catch all the fish. One group came in and all wore matching shirts with something to the effect of Anglers against Annie as she often out fishes everyone. The next time they came they bought a shirt for Annie that said Annie against the other anglers. The whole thing was quite charming and I felt a real sense of camaraderie amongst the regulars.

So the plan for this outing is we can board the float at 3 ish. If you want to go for the whole day you are welcome but there is a $15 fee for that day. The regular day people leave the boat at 6 pm and then it will be just our group. There is a total of 8 bunks. If you would like to rest during the night take you sleeping bag and go to an open bunk and nap away. I will also be bringing an additional cot. If you would like to set a tent up on the river bank off the float feel free. If you would like to come and leave to go to a hotel later in the night bring a boat or if you are bringing a boat and are willing to give a ride to those who want off the float for the night let me know. If you want to make plans with other anglers for any other part of the weekend, or if you have questions about what others are doing before or after I suggest using the Wi Women Fish Face book page to banter back and forth and make what ever additional arrangements you want.

If you are attending this outing here is some suggestions on what to bring. All food and drink. Grills and charcoal will be provided. Fishing stuff, pillow and bedding. Alcohol is allowed but please use moderation. Bug repellent, camera and filet knife. Be prepared for the weather. The majority of the float is open air.

If you have any questions let me know. I will try to answer then as best I can. This will be a new experience for me. I am really looking forward to it. I hope you can join us. Advanced sign up is required and liability waiver must be signed and turned in with the registration form. You can register at www.wiwomenfish.com.

Best Fishes,

Barb Carey
Wi Women Fish