2025 Navigational Season and Schedule

THANK YOU to everyone who purchased passes and enjoyed the locks in 2024.

Please bookmark this page and watch our Facebook page for information on operational hours for the 2025 season!

Printable Version

Menasha
Appleton Lock 1-4
Cedars and Little Chute Lock
Combined Locks
Kaukauna Locks 1-5
Rapide Croche
Little Kaukauna Lock
De Pere Lock
Menasha

CLOSED

Lock has been closed since 2015 due to the discovery of Round Goby.

Appleton Lock 1-4

(Lock 1: 920-750-3306) or (Lock 4: 920-750-3307)

Phones active only during hours of operation

May 17 – September 1

11a-6p (Saturday and Sunday)

Appleton Lock 1 will remain open for 2 additional hours (6pm-8pm) on Saturday nights, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day to allow access to downtown businesses.

Holidays

Memorial Day 11a-6p

July 4th 11a-6p

Labor Day 11a-6p

Cedars and Little Chute Lock

Cedars (920-750-3309)

Little Chute (920-840-9290)

Phone active only during hours of operation

May 17 – September 1

11a-6p (Saturday and Sunday)

Holidays

Memorial Day 11a-6p

July 4th 11a-6p

Labor Day 11a-6p

Combined Locks

(920-809-2189)

Phone active only during hours of operation

May 17 – September 1

11a-6p (Saturday and Sunday)

Holidays

Memorial Day 11a-6p

July 4th 11a-6p

Labor Day 11a-6p

Kaukauna Locks 1-5

(Lock 1: 920-202-1855) (Lock 3: 920-840-9279) or (Lock 5: 920-809-3299)

Phones active only during hours of operation

May 17 – September 1

11a-6p (Saturday and Sunday)

Holidays

Memorial Day 11a-6p

July 4th 11a-6p

Labor Day 11a-6p

Rapide Croche

CLOSED

Lock has been closed since 1985 as a barrier to aquatic invasive species, the Sea Lamprey

Little Kaukauna Lock

(920-227-7043)

Phone active only during hours of operation

May 17 – September 1 10a-8p (Monday through Sunday)

Sept 2 – October 6 10a-6p (Saturdays and Sundays only)

October 4 & 5 10a-6p Free Fall Colors Weekend

Holidays

Memorial Day 10a-8p

July 4th 10a-8p

Labor Day 10a-8p

De Pere Lock

(920-227-7024)

Phone active only during hours of operation

May 17 – September 1 10a-8p (Monday through Sunday)

Sept 2 – October 6 10a-6p (Saturdays and Sundays only)

October 4 & 5 10a-6p Free Fall Colors Weekend

Holidays

Memorial Day 10a-8p

July 4th 10a-8p

Labor Day 10a-8p

Purchase Passes Online

Passes are ONLY available for purchase online.

Purchase Your Pass

Recreational Day Pass – $15

A daily pass is valid for one day, for use at all open locks on the Fox River for motorboats and non-motorized boats.

Season Pass – $150

A season pass permanently affixed to your vessel is valid all season at open locks on the Fox river for motorized and non-motorized boats.
All passes are non-transferrable.
All season passes must be affixed to your vessel in an area that is most visible to a lock tender.

“Motorboat” means any boat equipped with propulsion machinery, whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion, a boat propelled usually by an internal combustion engine.. The term includes but is not listed to powerboat, speedboat, fishing boat, or cabin cruiser. (for further information on motorboats, please visit this link)

“Non-Motorized Boat” means a boat which is not propelled by machinery but is designed and constructed to be used for transportation of a person or persons on water. This term includes but is not limited to canoe, sailboat, kayak, inflatable boat, row boat or dingy. (for further information on non-motorized boats, please visit this link.)

Tour Boat $80 per Trip

Trip 1 De Pere and Little Kaukauna (Little Rapids)
Trip 2 Combined Locks, Little Chute Lock and Cedars Lock
Trip 3 Appleton Locks 1,2,3 and 4

“Tour Boat” means a motorboat transporting passengers to gain profit.

Scheduled Paddle Events

$1.00 each with a minimum of 25 participants per lockage

“Scheduled Paddle Events” are publicly advertised at least one month prior to the event in local media outlets and digital platforms.

Special Lockages

Any lockage taking place outside the posted Lock Schedule or any lockage requiring extra planning/lock tender time, and pending staff availability. These events must be scheduled 48 business-hours in advance. To schedule a special lockage, please call 920-455-9174

Call for pricing.
- Cost is determined by a multitude of factors, such as Lock tender labor needed, type of vehicle, and an overhead fee.
Less than 24 hour notice of cancellation will result in a charge of $150.

Vessel Lockage Procedure

To notify Lock Tender approach lock and sound 3 long blasts on horn
Upon approaching lock at a safe and slow speed, Lock Tender will direct timing and placement of all vessels into and out of the lock chamber. Generally larger vessels enter and exit first.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) are recommended for all passengers. Children 13 years old and younger are required by Federal Law to wear a PFD while aboard recreational vessels underway.
Appropriate required PFD must be worn by all paddlers during lockage.
A bow and stern safety line provided by Lock Tender is required for all vessels. Safety lines must be attended at all times and are never to be tied to any vessel.
Turn engine off while in lock.
No smoking or cooking while in lock.
Passengers of recreational vessels must remain in their vessels at all times during the lockage procedure. For safety, pets should be on a leash.
Paddle board operators are not recommended to travel through the locks. Portages are available at most of our locks. If a paddle board operator decides to go through the locks, they are responsible for their own safety, must purchase a day pass, wear a lifejacket, and remain on the paddle board at all times while in the lock
Operators should have vessel information and online pass readily available for the Lock Tender. You can download a day pass onto your smart phone. Seasonal permits must be permanently displayed on your vessel in a location easily seen by Lock Tender.
All operators must be able to control their vessel in a safe and sober manner.
Failure to adhere to the above guidelines may result in a refusal of lockage and/or notification of law enforcement authorities. Lock Tender will complete Incident Report record.
Public docks are provided for recreational use and may be used at your own risk. Docks are located upstream of Menasha Lock, Appleton Lock #2 and Lock #4, Appleton at the Appleton Yacht Club, Little Chute Guard Lock, and De Pere Lock

Contact Us

FOX RIVER NAVIGATION SYSTEM AUTHORITY

1008 Augustine Street, Kaukauna, WI 54130

©2023 FOX RIVER NAVIGATION SYSTEM AUTHORITY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.