KAUKAUNA — The Fox Locks system is now open for the 2026 season, and new this year, all five Kaukauna Locks have portage access for kayaks and canoes.
The portage improvements give boaters access to the river outside of regular locks operating hours. All five Kaukauna locks portages are new this season.
According to a Fox Locks blog post, the portage routes have come about because non-motorized boat traffic on the system has grown and kayakers and canoers are discovering how easy it is to travel the river.
Kayak portages have been funded by grants from several community organizations including the David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Fox Cities Greenways, and the Fox Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Completed portages include:
- All four Appleton locks,
- Little Chute,
- All five Kaukauna locks have new portages constructed last fall,
- Existing portages that are slated for future restoration are at De Pere and Cedars locks.
Additional updates for the 2026 season:
- Annual passes are on sale now and ONLY available online. Boaters can enjoy five months of cruising the locks for only $150. A season pass gets you through any lock during any hour of operation from May-October; a $15 day pass gives you the same access for a single day of cruising.
- Locks in Little Kaukauna and De Pere are the busiest locks and are open seven days a week 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 16-Labor Day. In September and October, these locks are only open weekends until 6 p.m.
- Locks in Appleton, Little Chute, Cedars, Combined Locks, and all five Kaukauna locks are open weekends 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 16-Labor Day.
Public docks are available at Appleton Lock 2, Appleton Lock 4, at the Appleton Yacht Club, at the Little Chute Guard Lock, and at the De Pere Lock.
Of special note are summer’s big holidays: Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. All locks will be operational on these holidays.
Paid partnership with Matt's Lawn Aerating.
