Lock 2 kayak portage along Fox River in Kaukauna, May 26, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — In long sections of the Fox River, a system of locks may present challenges for kayakers and canoers.
But a new way to safely get around those locks is receiving high marks.
“I’ve been paddling some 25 or 26 years, and I’ve gotten in and out of my boat every time I paddle, but I still make sure there’s nothing in my pockets that can’t get wet, because you never know,” said Jeff Mazanec, president of Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers.
At a landing made of limestone blocks, Mazanec and fellow kayaker Scott Thomson complimented the construction on the portage at Kaukauna Lock #2.
“When you look at the water beyond the step there, you can see that it’s flat enough that you can stand there. At some places, the navigation canal drops off real steeply, and then it can be hard to get a foot on the side that’s on the inside of it. So then, we use help from each other to get in and out,” he said.
Officials said each staircase cost about $10,000 to build. Fox Locks Operations Director Jeremy Cords said 18 portages have been constructed, including five in Kaukauna last fall. In all, he said the plan is to install 31 kayak portages.
“The kayaks have a special niche in water recreation, and we’ve seen that develop over the years. That’s why we’ve also made this an important initiative for the Fox Locks, because we want to make sure that the public has a place to recreate. Accessibility is very important,” said Cords.
After a short walk around the lock and along the shoreline, Thomson and Mazanec are ready to safely launch.
“If it was just Scott and I today paddling through here, we’d be looking for eagles and we’d be enjoying just the scenery. It’s pretty. And admiring the architecture of these 100-year-old locks, how they still function,” he said.
The Fox Locks Authority operates the system which runs from Menasha to De Pere. A daily pass for Saturdays and Sundays is $15, while a seasonal pass is $150.
Comments