Recreation
Fishing/Boating/Hunting
Great Alma Fishing Float
608-685-3474
Open daily, late-March - November 1
A shuttle boat takes you to the largest fishing float on the
Mississippi River. The float is located below Lock & Dam #4 on the Minnesota
side. Access the shuttle boat from River Street behind River's Edge Apartments.
A cafe, beverages, benches, and bait are available. A Wisconsin or Minnesota
fishing license is required.
Best fishing on the Mississippi. Fish for everything from pan
fish to catfish. For rates, services & events go to:
www.almafishingfloat.com. Email:
float@nelson-tel.net
Fishing & Hunting Guides
Contact the Countryside Convenience Store at 608-685-4472 or
Bob Scow Guiding at mbeth@mwt.net
Public Fishing Dock
Handicap accessible, it is located one mile north of Alma off
highway 35 on Harbor Road.
Alma Courtesy Dock
Located just south of Lock & Dam #4
City of Alma offers a courtesy dock for limited docking
only. The dock gives access to Alma's shops and business district.
Breckows Landing
Located 3 miles north of Alma on Highway 35
Provides access to Mississippi River.
Dairyland Landing
Located at south end of Alma, just off Highway 35.
Provides access to Mississippi River south of Lock &
Dam #4.
Great River Harbor Campgrounds & Docks
Address: S2221 State Rd 35, Alma, WI 54610
Phone: 608-248-2454
website:
www.funsun.com
Main Channel Bait & Liquor Store
608-685-4336
1301 South Main Street, Alma, WI 54610
We provide all fishing needs and fishing information for
the Alma area. Home of River Guiding, specializing in walleyes and smallmouth
and all species. Call toll-free for guide trips and information. 1-866-219-2191
or visit us at www.riverguiding.com
Summer hours 5:00 am - 7:00 pm Mon - Thurs, 5:00 am - 9:00 pm Fri, Sat.
Northport Marine, Inc.
608-685-3333
Located one mile north of Alma off Highway 35 on Beach
Harbor Road. (Mile marker 754.1)
By river, Northport Marina is located one mile north
of Lock & Dam #4
The marina offers overnight docking, public launching,
docks, houseboat and other watercraft rentals, repair, gas, and store.
Great River Harbor & Campground
608-248-2454
Located just off Highway 35, 3 miles south of Alma. (Mile
marker 747.9 and follow buoys)
Great River Harbor offers overnight docking, pump outs,
gas, store, camping sites with and without hookups, marina, cabins, restaurant,
showers, restrooms, watercraft rentals, RV sites and 18 hole mini golf
course.
Parks and Camping
Rieck's Lake ParkA municipal campground. No reservations. First-come, first-serve basis.
For information, directions, regulations- and prices contact City Hall at 608-685-3330.
Located on Highway 35, 3 miles north of Alma.
Park includes 2 wildlife observation decks, camping, electrical hookups, open roofed shelters for family gatherings, restrooms, ball diamond, and a new playground area.
Buena Vista Park
Directions: On the very south end of Second Street, take
County Road E up the bluff. The park is located 500 feet above the Mississippi
River. According to Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Buena Vista Park
is "one of the river valley's finest natural balconies." Buena Vista is
a great place for a picnic and has a gorgeous view. Sunsets are breathtaking,
as is the view of the Lock & Dam, the city, the Mississippi River
and its backwaters.
Alma Public Beach & Recreation Area
Located one mile north of Alma
Enjoy the summertime swimming or playing a tennis match
at the beach. Ball diamonds, a swing set, and a bath house are also available.
Great River Harbor & Campground
608-248-2454
Located just off Highway 35, 3 miles south of Alma, mile
marker 747.9.
Great River Harbor offers overnight docking, pump outs,
gas, store, camping sites with and without hookups, marina, cabins, restaurant,
showers, restrooms, watercraft rentals, RV sites and 18 hole mini golf
course.
www.greatriverharbor.com
www.funsun.com
One of the many sandbars located in the Alma area on the beautiful Mississippi
river.
Henderson's Silver Moon
608-685-3530
-13 campsites with electric and water hookups
-enclosed shelter
-dump station
Golfing
Walnut Grove Golf Course608-248-2800 or 888-253-9455
Located 8 miles south of Alma on Highway 35. Walnut Grove is an 18 hole golf course nestled in hills and bluffs of the Mississippi River valley. Course is well maintained and suited to the beginning to intermediate golfer. Call for tee times and special offers. An additional 9 holes are under construction.
Other golf courses are available within 15-30 minutes.
Bird Watching
Bald EaglesBald eagles feed from November through March just below Lock & Dam #4 on the Mississippi River. In other open areas some pairs are year round residents. Once an eagle spots a fish swimming or floating near the surface of the water, it approaches its prey in a shallow glide and snatches the fish out of the water with a quick swipe of its talons.
Tundra Swans
Tundra Swan Watch mid-October through November at Rieck's
Lake Park, two miles north of Alma on Highway 35.
Mississippi River Flyway, a migratory waterway for numerous
birds and waterfowl.
For more information call 608-685-4249,
www.mwt.net/~swanalma
Birding
Two great birding spots in Alma on public land are Buena Vista Park located on
the bluff top above the city and Mossy Hollow which is a 104 acre site located
behind the cemetery at the south edge of the city.
Buena Vista gives the visitor an opportunity to observe the majesty of the
Mississippi Valley as well as having the opportunity to see, often at eye level,
bald eagles, turkey vultures, peregrine falcons, and red-tailed hawks all of
which nest in the area. During spring and fall migration seasons a wide
variety of raptors may be seen from this vantage point.
Buena Vista is located off County Road E which intersects Highway 35 in Alma.
Watch for the signs.
Mossy Hollow is a recently acquired wooded ravine and hilltop with both north
and south facing slopes. Development of this site is just in the beginning
stages. A wide trail which is used for snowmobiling in the winter is
available for hiking at other times and there are side trails which are exciting
to explore.
Resident birds there include most of the common woodland birds with four and
possibly five woodpeckers, indigo buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, brown
thrashers, catbirds, blue jays, etc. This is also a good vantage point for
observing the peregrine
falcon nesting box on the chimney at Dairyland Power Plant in Alma.
During the spring migration many wood warblers and flycatchers can be seen among
the leaves.
Hiking
Buena Vista Hiking TrailHike up the Alma Bluff to Buena Vista Park. Enter on north Second Street. Trail entrance is marked with signs.
Mossy Hollow Trail The This trail is designed for hiking, walking, nature study of song birds, wildlife, tree and plant identification. Turn at Cemetery/Moss Hollow Rd, just south of Riverland Energy. The trail branches out to the Dairyland Point Trail, the Main Trail and The Hilltop Trail.
Biking
There are no designated bike trails, however the "Great River Road," Highway 35, is very scenic and makes for an amazingly beautiful tour of the countryside.
Canoeing
Canoe the relaxing, beautiful backwaters of the Mississippi River and the Buffalo River. Canoe rental is available at the Great River Harbor.
Snowmobiling
County trails connecting to state trails are available. Call the Buffalo County Courthouse at 608-685-6209 for maps. Call 608-685-2410 for trail condition information.
Downhill Skiing
Slopes are available within 15-30 minutes.Top of Page