More Than Just a Boat Ride!

HE GREAT FREE Alma T Fishing Float Mississippi River Fishing News 2016 FLOAT OPENS More than just a boat ride! When you need a place to take a break from work or the daily grind gets you down it’s time to put FRIDAY your troubles aside and get to Alma for a day or two of relaxation on the Alma Fishing Float. You can be a professional or a first time fisherman and have a great time catching and learning to catch a MARCH 25 huge variety of fish. Fish for 12 hours or 2 it’s up to you which is what you get for the $18 fee. This fee includes a boat ride to and from the fishing float and Alma and also includes the use of nets, buckets, benches, restrooms, and our 30 years of float fishing expertise. Daytime hours are 6am to 2016 6pm with no reservations needed. If you’re up for a bit more adventure try booking an overnight stay on the Alma Float and enjoy a beautiful evening on the Mississippi. FISH Call for details. ALL DAY FOR ONLY $ 00 18 A beautiful blue sunny day and catching a big northern on the Alma Fishing Float. It Hours doesn’t get any better than this! 6:00 A.M. to You never know what you’re going 6:00 P.M. to catch when fishing below the No dams on the Mississippi river. There are many, many species and a lot of reservations them grow big. Chuck Girtman from needed. Osseo makes it over to the float sever- al times a month to wet a line, and Need a place where the whole family can fish together? on this day at the end of March while Spend a day at the Great Alma Fishing Float! Plenty of fishing for “fish”, Chuck battled this space to move around, different water depths and big smallie to the net, got a quick pic, conditions for many species of fish, bait, tackle, snacks and let her go back! available on site, and a great view! Check out our facebook site for latest reports and photos.

Vol. 26 #1 www.almafishingfloat.com Fishing Report 608-685-FISH (3474)

Tim: 651-380-5322 [email protected] Jim: 651-380-7296

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S1667 State Rd 35 Rd State S1667 Great Alma Fishing Float Fishing Alma Great 2 – The Great Alma Fishing Float 2016 Spend a night on the Float! While the daytime fishing is a lot of fun, the Great Alma Fishing Float also offers an exciting nighttime fishing experience! We have 3 separate rooms that can accommodate 10 people. Our rooms are equipped with mattresses, electric lights, heat and AC. Bring your own bedding, necessary clothing, fishing gear, food and drinks. You can also bring charcoal and use our grills if you want. Spending a night on the Float is great for families or a group of friends who want to spend time together fishing the mighty Mississippi. You can make reservations right on the float, or call us anytime. Night Fishing Rates March, April, October - 4 bunk rooms - $152/night, + $38 per each extra person 2 bunk room - $ 72/night, +$38 per each extra person May thru September - $38 per person. Check in - 3pm till 6pm, when we close for the day. Check out - 9am. Dave Blodgett joined his brother Pat for their annual night fishing get together NOTE - The regular $18 fishing fee will be charged if you plan on in late March. These guys are all experienced float fisherman and this was Dave’s fishing during the day. first time, but that didn’t stop him from catching the largest walleye of the trip, a 10-plus pounder!

We are fortunate to see a lot of large northern pike caught on the Alma Float which is due to the location we are on, on the Mississippi. Located 300 feet below the #4 lock and dam and in or on the edge of the main current flow makes it ideal for varieties of fish species, and when you have small fish around it’s dinner time for the big ones.

For this group of overnighters every year they swing in for a few nights of fun on the Alma Fishing Float. Out come the crock pots full of homemade venison stew or chili. The coolers of their favorite cocktails.(mostly milk and Kool-Aid) and an ap- Chuck Nichols brings petite for fishing, and fish they do. his friends and Big walleye are always a favorite family a few times but anything that bites is part of each year from the the fun being it perch, northern, or Milwaukee area suckers. This year the perch came and enjoys some in force all spring and into the sum- relaxing and exciting mer and as usual the girls came days. Here he holds through with the jumbo walleye. up a big northern he caught usually fishing with a sucker minnow on the bottom.

Check out the fishing forecast any time at Another professional spring walleye www.almafishingfloat.com fisherman shows us how its done. The Great Alma Fishing Float 2016 – 3

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Great Alma Fishing Float owners Tim and Jim Lodermeier are looking for someone to take over a great fishing business. The Alma Float has been around since 1947 and still going strong. The Lodermeiers have owned the business for 30 years and are ready to pass it on. This is a great opportunity to become your own boss and meet people from all over the country. This is not your normal daily grind of a job. You will start early, enjoy a great sunrise over Alma, operate a shuttle boat to pick up cus- tomers thru the day, grab a pole and check out the bite (this is called guiding). Sell some bait, tackle, and food. grab a pole again, and so on. The season goes from the end of March to the end of October or when you choose. If you are interested call us at 651-380-5322 or 651-380-7296

KNOW THE Senior Discount LAWS! We get asked many times through the year Every Thursday! about limits, lengths, and what rules apply to This year, seniors that are 60 anglers on the float. We are located on the and over will get a Minnesota-Wisconsin boundary waters. If you’re a resident of either state and are 16 or older, $ you need a license from that state. 3.00 discount If you’re a non- MN-WI resident, you can use a fishing every Thursday that we’re open. license from either state. Now, that being said, because we are located on the MN side of the main Mississippi channel, only the MN laws and rules apply. Here are some of the main differences: • No more than 2 rods can be used per person in The Great… Minnesota, 3 rods per person in Wisconsin. • Bluegill/sunfish have a 25 fish daily limit. Alma Fishing FloatNEWS 2016 • You cannot use gamefish for bait (bluegill, bass, sauger, etc.) Yes, put me on your mailing list. FREE • Walleye/sauger daily limit is 6 combined. Walleye have to be 15” or more. No size limit on sauger. Name______• Large & smallmouth bass daily limit is 5, and they need Address______to be 14” or more. ______• Fish have to be hooked in the mouth. Snagged fish need to be released. Send to: If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, better The Great Alma Fishing Float • S1647 State Rd 35, Alma, WI 54610 safe than sorry! 4 – The Great Alma Fishing Float 2016

While spring means big, prespawn wall- eyes to many anglers, another species has been taking some of the spotlight. For the last 5 or 6 years, fishing for early season perch has been coming on strong, and many are big. We see 13- to 14-inch fish every spring, with an average of 10 to 11 inches. Make sure to check the Alma Float face book page for the most recent Scheel’s pro staffer Frank Herald decided to treat the boys fishing reports once to an overnight trip on the float looking to catch a few we open. cats. Fishing for cats is a lot of fun, with pretty good action throughout the summer. Cast out a rubber cat worm cov- ered with stink bait on a heavy river rig, put the pole in a holder, then wait for the bite. As you can see, the boys did their job well and are all smiles!

“Hey, nice fish Delbert!” Nothing to it, he says. Along When the bite is on, the bite is on! The post spawn pike were This we will call “Steve’s Northern Slayers”. A fair name for these with his big northern, blue- hungry and in good numbers last year from mid April all the way fair weather float fellows from the Racine-Milwaukee area. A great gills, perch, bass, and saugers through May. These guys got serious using sucker minnows and showing of a days catch of northern pike they captured on a made up the catch for Delbert ended up with a nice limit. adventure they partook in last summer. and crew. Make sure to check Northern pike can be the Alma Float Facebook caught most any time of year, but April and page to see the latest May seem to be the fishing reports! best months to really get into them. You may not see as many in April, but some real hogs can be caught then before the spawn. In May, after spawning, the pike will move back in, and can be very ag- gressive. Using sucker minnows on river rigs Now there’s a fish that’s tempting to put on the wall! works great, but casting Duane Skov and his buddies swing by the float often lures also works well. throughout the year to watch the river go by and Iowegions have been immigrating to Alma since Here’s a real dandy the stringer fill up. Here is Duane’s best pike of the the discovery of worms and Greg Anderson shows Mississippi river pike! year. I can’t remember the exact length, but I know it here the success they’ve accomplished along the was getting close to 40”. way, displaying a beautiful smallmouth bass. The Great Alma Fishing Float 2016 – 5

Every year we see familiar faces A beautiful summer day on the Great from the past and enjoy a reunion Alma Fishing Float! While spring and of sorts with them. Last summer fall seem to get the most attention Donna and her husband Dan from anglers, summer fishing can be The Jerry Johnson crew visits the float sever- enjoyed some great fishing at terrific! With all the species in the river, al times a year, fishing for whatever’s biting. Alma and this day catching a nice there always seems to be something Saugers, walleye, panfish, and this time, lots of bunch of big bluegills. biting, like this nice largemouth bass northern pike! that Ken caught in mid-July.

Summer’s here and catfish are on the prowl! There are good numbers of both channel and flathead cats in the Mississippi river, and both are attracted to the waters below the dams. But that’s where the similarities end. Chan- nel cats are more ”bottom” feeders, so using smelly stuff works best for them, like “stink bait” smeared on rubber cat worms. Flathead cats are predators, and mainly eat live fish, so big suckers work well for them. Here’s a big While looking in the river you spot a flathead Bob caught last July. Our studies show that it’s not long spotted fish surface for just a sec- the fishing that has improved it’s ond and disappear and the first thought the fishermen. Big bass are hard If you want a real fight on your hands is it was a big northern and maybe to fool but not for this guy as he hook into one of these with a medium it was or maybe it was a jumbo gar gives us a peek at his success. pole. A large channel cat has the pow- like this. Gar prowl along the surface er like a underwater bulldozer so hang looking for a easy meal and are often on and enjoy. spotted. Getting one hooked is tough especially with their long bony nose and mouth full of needle sharp teeth.

Lisa and Joe like to take a day off their busy schedule to do some float fishing for catfish and sturgeon. They have really got this sturgeon A nice mixed bag of fish these buddies caught This happy young couple show catching down pat. I’ll toast to that. in mid summer is a familiar site around the Alma their catch of bluegill, catfish and Float. drum. 6 – The Great Alma Fishing Float 2016 Hillcrest Motel Reidt’s Motel & Cabins & Lodging • Cable TV 3 Lodges - Sleeps 7 (Weekly) • Air Conditioned On The Mississippi River • Fish Cleaning & & Great River Road Freezer Facilities OPEN YEAR ‘ROUND • With or Without Cooking Facilities • Cable TV & Air Conditioning • Newly Remodeled • Enclosed Cooking & Game Room OPEN YEAR ‘ROUND • Enclosed Fish Cleaning Facilities Daily & Weekly Rates • WE NOW HAVE WI FI Mastercard or VISA 3 Miles North of Alma on Hwy. 35 Phone or write the Reidt’s 1 Mile North of Alma S1638 St., Rd. 35, Alma, WI 54610 Hwy. 35 North, Alma, WI 54610 608-685-4843 1-608-685-3511 reidtsmotel.com | [email protected] The Mississippi River Pearl Jewelry ALMA HOTEL Company and Gallery Restaurant & Bar “We specialize in Serving great food & spirits in 1110 Hiawatha Drive E., Wabasha a comfortable atmosphere. 651-565-9932 | www.BigRiverResort.com designing jewelry from pearls of ROOMS: Charming river town resort. Our the Mississippi.” Broasted chicken, fish fry, specialty is clean, comfortable rooms at a very good value! Free shuttle from marinas to resort. One block River Museum display homemade soups & pies! BURGERS & MORE! from city pool. Free wireless internet! www.Nadineleo.com OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 207 North Main Street RV: 25 spacious sites with full hookups - 30/50 amp Alma, Wisconsin • 685-4144 electric, city water and sewer, cable TV, 125 North Main St. and wireless internet! Alma, WI 54610 CABIN: Luxurious one bedroom cabin with 1-608-685-3380 full kitchen and patio. 651-301-1204 210 Main Street, Alma

ALMA Tell Bar GENERAL STORE & Grill • Est. 2011 • Burgers Cable T.V. & A/C • Critter Cleaning House Full Kitchens/Baths • Docking available GROCERIES Pizza 8 Miles south of Alma… MEAT  BEER  WINE Just off Hwy 35 ~~ FOLLOW THE SIGNS By Boat: Enter Channel AND MUCH MORE! at Marker 746.6, then go south Spirits www.wardsriversidecabins.com 100 N. Main St. • Downtown Alma [email protected] 608-685-2652 (608) 685-3202 608-248-3702 In Downtown Fountain City Motel Alma Clean Rooms • Affordable Rates • Free WiFi We’re located on scenic Highway 35, only 20 minutes from Alma and “Wings Over Alma” is a multi-purpose center downtown Alma. Located across the street from the Alma Hotel and Mississippi River Pearl. 10 minutes from Winona The center offers a 50 foot viewing platform overlooking the upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Refuge and equipped with spotting scopes Call Today…608-687-3111 and binoculars to view a variety of wildlife year-around, river activities and the Great Alma Fishing Float. The Mississippi Flyway bring hundreds of migrating fountaincitymotel.com birds past the deck, and dozens of winter-feeding eagles can be viewed below email: Lock and Dam #4. rooms@fountain Inside the center is a rotating art exhibit. Museum displays and a small gift citymotel.com shop are also available, and a visitor information center. The center is open 7 days a week all year around from 10 am-5 pm and some evenings when there are special programs. You are welcome to browse, have a cup of coffee, linger and enjoy the views! For more information: 608-685-3303 or [email protected], www.wingsoveralma.org or [email protected]. The Great Alma Fishing Float 2016 – 7 National B&S EXPRESS NATURE Eagle Alma Center Home Style TAXIDERMY America’s Eagle Education Lodging • L.P. Destination • Diesel Wabasha, OPEN YEAR ’ROUND • Gas Minnesota 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Full Kitchen • Bait 877-332-4537 Riverview, Deck, BBQ 651-565-4989 Walking distance to fishing float OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK JIM & TIM LODERMEIER DirecTV • Air Conditioning 126 S. Belvidere St. Seasonal Hours WI-FI Available (Starting March 1- November 30) Buffalo City, WI Cell: 651-380-5322 Monday-Thursday 10 A.M.-5 P.M. RESERVATIONS (608) 248-2575 Bring in Your Trophies Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9 A.M.-6 P.M. 608-685-4557 • 715-495-2568 Bring this coupon in for a free beer or rail • Broasted drink or $2.00 off any appetizer. Dock yourself at. . . ALMA TOWNHOUSE Chicken Open 7 days a week, year ’round, 7am ’til bar close VACATION HOUSE • Homemade Felice 104 South Main Street Pizza Great Food & Daily Specials, Alma, Wisconsin 54610 • Sandwiches Cold Drinks & Live Entertainment! Patra Night and weekly rates: two bedrooms, • Friday Fish sleeps seven; full kitchen, sun porch Stop for by our famous Bloody Marys! (overlooking the Mississippi River), & Shrimp Check out our full menu Fry Inn living room and bathroom; located walking www.buffalocitycove.com Walking distance from float pier. distance from downtown and the fishing Beautiful patio/deck area, big float dock; no need for a vehicle. screen TVs for watching your Cater to fishermen and hunters. NorthEnd Pub & Grill favorite teams. Come by boat, 609 N. Main, Alma, WI Call for Reservations: 214 N. Main Street car, cycle or bicycle. 608-685-4512 715-926-4782 (business office) Cochrane, WI • 608-248-3773 175 S River Road On the banks of the Mississippi! 715-926-3139 (home phone) Buffalo City, WI Open 7 days a week at 11 a.m. Enter channel at marker 746.6 Cell: 715-579-4483 or 715-579-6843 (cell phone) 608-247-COVE (2683) and go south - large dock area.

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In Historic Blue Door Inn Alma, Wisconsin Thanks to Kerry Carter our web Walking Distance to GREAT ALMA FISHING FLOAT One of Alma’s oldest 19th century buildings, easy Main street location master for Beautiful bluff & Mississippi River views Nightly and weekly rentals keeping our Choice of suites or apartments Great for groups & families website Continental breakfast WIFI services 20% Mid-Week Discount new & improved! 331 S Main Street, Alma, Wisconsin WEB www.bluedoorinnalma.com EMAIL [email protected] RESERVATIONS 608-685-4067 www.almafishingfloat.com 8 – The Great Alma Fishing Float 2016 A wild year for sturgeon in 201 5! After being on the river for 30 years, we’ve seen some during the summer and fall, but still getting many ups and downs in fish populations, changes in some until we closed. Both the big lake sturgeon and the river from flooding, with various fishing condi- the smaller shovelnose sturgeon were caught. While tions. 2015 will go down as the year of the sturgeon. there is no open season on the lake sturgeon and I think there were more sturgeon caught last year must be released, you can keep up to 10 shovelnose, than in the other 29 years combined! At one time I with no size limit. If you’re interested in fishing for read that they(whoever “they” are) weren’t sure how these monsters, bring your heaviest gear you have. well the sturgeon were spawning after the dams were We use a river rig with a 3 to 6 ounce sinker, de- built and possibly losing spawning habitat. Well I pending on the current, with a stout hook, then bait can tell you that the fish have figured it out as we it with a minnow and a crawler. It’s always exiting caught fish from 12 inches, to over 70 inches, and when someone hooks a big one, as these fish are all sizes in between. The bite started in mid April, very powerful and tend to jump when hooked. then kept improving throughout May. It then slowed

It was a heck of a fight, but the boy did a Wow! It takes 2 to handle that monster! great job wrestling this 52 incher into the net!

Make sure to check the Alma Float Facebook Big Fish Bill Haggerty with a nice one! page to see the latest fishing reports!

It all started on a raining Sunday afternoon. With only a few fishing that day this young Rochester man hooks onto a fish that gave him a fight to remember. After over 45 minutes and more than a few hurling jumps he got this monster sturgeon into a net only to have the net rip through as his helpers tried to lift it onto the deck, so after somehow getting his pole thru the broken net and back to the job of fighting the fish he managed to get it close to netting, again only this time it took 2 nets and a bit of Another “average” sturgeon from 2015. luck to bring it in.