I went down to Alma this morning for the first time this year. I usually go just south of the power plant, park along side highway 35 and walk out to the slews. Today there was no one parked or fishing there. Is the ice unsafe or have I totally missed the ‘bite’?
I think there is an issue with crossing the railroad. I’ve heard that there is a railroad “Barney Fife” lurking up there to ticket anyone crossing railroad property. 
Yep they were parked there yesterday. Party poopers!
I think there is an issue with crossing the railroad. I’ve heard that there is a railroad “Barney Fife” lurking up there to ticket anyone crossing railroad property.
if he only has one bullet,your odds of outrunning him are pretty good!!
edit to add: our tax dollars subsidize those railroads,so essentially you are crossing your own property in my book.
So, in other words dozens of great fishing areas that are on ‘the other side of the tracks’ are now closed to walk in fishing.
It is pretty sad that spots where I’ve fished with my grandfather, father, son and grandson are now gone.
The spring DNR meetings should be attended by ALL who fish those areas. Stoddard area is really affected by this too. I’m sure there are good fishing areas all up and down the river that are more or less “off limits” due to the railroad.
I agree all who this affects need to go to the meetings.
Hopefully someone will post when the DNR spring meetings are on here. I always seem to hear about after they have been held. Where can the dates of these meetings be found?
If you cannot walk across the tracks, what makes any of the crossings that you drive over that do not have warning lights any different? This is a crock, I have never heard of a fisherman that was hit by a train.
It is just not right that the railroad is telling us that we cannot access state or federal land to hunt, fish, bird watch ect. by foot across the railroad tracks. We pay taxes and buy fishing and hunting licences to the state to manage and take care of this land and waters but yet the railroad is telling us where and how we can’t access it. Bunch of BS!! It is not RIGHT at ALL! I believe there is something that can and should be done about this. I thought I heard that governor Walker vetoed some bill or something a year or so ago that was suppose to allow people to cross the tracks? He said “crossing at other than designated crossing impairs public safety” really? There is a hell of alot of other things I think that impair public saftey more than that! what’s next make it illegal to walk across the street also if there is no designated pedestrian walkway. Some of the rural small towns don’t have any pedestrian walkways or anything on corners of the streets! So they better start getting designated walkways in every town and where ever you need to cross the road because isn’t that impairing public safety? the state Insurance companies IMO are behind the whole thing! What don’t they regulate…. JMO I’ve been crossing the tracks and fishing for 45 years and now all of a sudden there is a problem with it?
Remember this is not only on the Mississippi river. I’m pretty sure its everywhere in WI and it includes all railroads? If you cross to hunt or fish anywhere you cross tracks that are not controlled I believe they could fine you if caught?
riverruns
Yes I am sure they could. I wonder if any the other states along the Mississippi river deal with this? I wonder how that would work out if the railroad would run the entire property line of public hunting land with private land on the other three property lines that would not let you cross? NO access to public land? I’d bet that wouldn’t go over to good. Tax payers paying for public land they can’t access?
Im assuming some idiot got hit by a train while on the tracks as we would do to access a fishing spot. Died, the family filed a law suit against the rail road company and now it’s shut down for everyone.
Im assuming some idiot got hit by a train while on the tracks as we would do to access a fishing spot. Died, the family filed a law suit against the rail road company and now it’s shut down for everyone.
And the railroad lost in court,and had to pay the surviving interests.It has happened many times,and don’t forget all the close calls.It would be up to the state,DNR and FWS to establish a safe foot crossing in those areas and remove any liabilities from said railroad company.Railroads DO own the land and pay taxes on it.Much less federal tax $ go to the railroads vs airports and such.
Probably what happened somewhere. I do understand the railroads point or the spot there put into to have to enforce not crossing. I have seen people crawl in between and under railroad cars sitting there. I just hope there can be something worked out? Have to wait and see. I still wonder if other states deal with this or if have come to some kind of agreement with a foot crossing area?
Wow. This sucks!
Unfortunately I think we are screwed. Similar to when Fish and Wildlife closed areas/created new refuges (e.g lower Big Lake) to motorized boats during the waterfowl migration a few years back. Our access to public waters is slowly eroding.
I see lots of complaining. I don’t see people claiming to have written their representatives and expressing their opinions. I doubt very many politicians read these forums.
Duke
Really, I didn’t know I had to let you know that I’ve called them, next time I’ll let you know
X2 Duke
We all should be writing and calling our area representatives on this. Probably only chance to get anything done about it?
this is the number the local warden gave to to contact the railroad. 1-800-832-5452 i wonder how this will impact the fishing float buisness this summer since you need to cross the track to have them pick you up.
email response from railroad
I am contacting you in regards to the BNSF website inquiry below. I apologize for any inconvenience. For the public’s own safety, BNSF does police against walking on the tracks or along our right of way. This is considered trespassing, as all Rail lines and ROW are private property, but more importantly it can be extremely dangerous. The only save place to crossing the racks are at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Hundreds of people are killed each year by trespassing onto railroad properties. You can find more information regarding this issue on the website Operation Lifesaver, linked below. Unfortunately due to the sheer size of the rail system, it is logistically impossible to monitor and police the entire system all the time. As reports in areas become more frequent we may start policing the area more to help deter the unsafe practice. If you are wanting to install a public pedestrian crossing, I suggest you contact your local government/community leaders. It would ultimately be up to the city/county. I hope this information helps.
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