Tag Archives: Fox River

January Paddling on the Fox River Video

The Fox River at Lutz Park Appleton, WI

50 degrees on January 10, 2012 in Wisconsin is a chance to paddle that a few of us paddlers couldn’t pass up. Here’s the video of myself, Sean and Terry paddling the Fox River from Lutz Park in Appleton to Little Lake Butte Des Morts.

You’ll see by the video there was virtually no snow and very little ice until we got to the wider part of the lake. It felt more like paddling in November. Watch for the eagle taking off from the tree in the video. We didn’t see 18 eagles like last week. We did see a few. I think this was because more open water spread them out to other places or maybe it was just our timing this day.

Warning: Cold water paddling can be dangerous. Don’t mess around this time of year! Safety is always important and even more so when it’s cold.

You can also check out this little winter paddling adventure in photos.

January Ice Paddling in Appleton Wisconsin

What is normally a long off season for paddlers was a little shorter for a few of us around Appleton, WI. Record temps in January brought the opportunity to paddle some open water on the Fox River.  A few eagles watched us paddle by in the trees.  The Fox River is a place where they congregate for the winter because it’s one of the few open water spots where they can catch fish.

Winter paddling should be approached with extreme caution. Do not go out on the water without the proper gear and a plan.  We do not recommend paddling in the winter in Wisconsin.

Slideshow of January Ice Paddling

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Winter Kayaking on the Fox River

Balmy January days in Wisconsin meant more open water on the Fox River.   My friend Terry and I went out how much water was open and check out the ice when the temps topped 40 degrees last week.   The Fox River is the only open water nearby in the winter.  Many winters when the temps are colder the river freezes solid.  We went about a mile before soft ice stopped our progress.

I do not recommend paddling in the Winter.  There are real dangers if you get wet.  It’s not a time to be messing around in tippy little boats.

Winter Kayaking on the Fox Slideshow

Winter Paddling in Appleton on the Fox River on January 5th

Finding open water is usually a challenge in January in Wisconsin. Also, it’s usually too cold to even want to paddle. January 5, 2012 brought 40 degrees, sun and calm winds to the Fox Cities area and we decided to take advantage of the mild temps and go paddling.

Safety is something we take even more seriously when going out kayaking and canoeing in winter.  Always dress for immersion.  Be prepared and be extra cautious.  Also not go alone.  If you’re inexperienced wait until summer when conditions are better to practice your skills.

 

January Paddling Slideshow

 

Wisconsin has been experiencing a balmy January so far in 2012.  January 5th reached 40 degrees!  For us hard core paddlers that means we start looking for open water.  One of the only places open this time of year is the Fox River through Appleton.

My friend Terry and I launched his canoe from the banks of Lutz Park.  The boat landing was iced up but the current along the sea wall was keeping the water open and made launching easy.  We were able to paddle West for about a mile into Little Lake Butte Des Morts, almost to Stroebe Island, before the ice blocked our way.  On December 21st during our last outing we had a channel all the way to the 441 bridge.  Today we played ice breaker for a little while until the ice became too thick.  We followed another smaller channel back and broke through another section of ice to enter the main channel.

The eagles from the Fox Valley area are making their winter home along this stretch of open water.  We counted at least 18 different eagles.  In one of the photos in the slide show you will see 16 eagles in the trees in 1 photo.  This is by far the largest collection of eagles I’ve ever seen in one place.  It seems like the eagle population is growing in Northeast Wisconsin.   All summer I spotted eagles while out paddling.  The most I’ve seen at one time before today’s paddle was 3.

We paddled almost up to Appleton Lock #1 before the ice made us retreat back to Lutz Park.

A 2 hour canoe outing in January was a great treat that most of us Wisconsin paddlers can’t do with all the cold and ice that we normally have in January.

Kayak Rolling at Sunset Park on the Fox River

Bob Kriese testing out my new to me Betsie Bay Manitou with some rolling and bracing at Sunset Park in Kimberly on the Fox River. The underwater shots show that this water doesn’t have the best clarity for filming under water rolls.

The Betsie Bay Manitou is a fantastic kayak to paddle. It has excellent speed, turns and maneuvers quickly and has a simple comfortable fit. The Manitou is a greenland style kayak. Bob is using a carbon fiber greenland paddle made by Superior Kayaks.

Fox River Appleton Locks Paddle Video Part 5

Voyager Canoe leaving lock #4

The final video from the Appleton Locks group paddle on September 24th. 119 canoes and kayaks enjoyed a fun outing on the Fox River in Appleton. Paddlers started at Lutz Park in Appleton and traveled to Sunset Park in Kimberly, traveling through the 4 Appleton locks over the 6 mile paddle. Check out the previous 4 videos to see the entire trip in video.

Thanks for watching this final segment of the Appleton Locks paddle.

Enjoy videos from part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 of our paddle journey through the Appleton locks.

Fox River Appleton Locks Paddle Video part 4

Fox River Appleton Locks Oneida St. bridge

Appleton Locks Paddle 4th segment video from our group paddle on September 24th. This video is of the group paddling through the locks from Appleton Lock #3 to Lock #4 with 119 other paddlers. Thanks to Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers for organizing this group paddle outing.

Check out videos from part 1, part 2 and part 3 of the Appleton Locks group paddle.

Fox River Appleton Locks Paddle Video Part 3

Kayaking between lock #2 and #3

Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers organized a group paddle on the Fox River through the Appleton Locks on September 24th. We had a great turn out with 119 paddle craft participating.

This video covers the segment from the 2nd lock to the 3rd lock in Appleton. Check out the previous 2 Appleton locks videos and watch for additional segments on our way to Kimberly.

Check out the video from the first segment and the second segment video of the Appleton Locks Paddle and stay tuned for the next segment in lock #4.

Fox River Appleton Locks Paddle Part 2

On the morning of September 24th 119 canoes and kayaks set out on an adventure to paddle through the 4 Appleton locks on the Fox River. This video features the section after lock #1 and going through lock #2.

If you missed the first Appleton Locks video it covers the beginning at Lutz Park in Appleton through lock #1.

Stay tuned for the additional videos on this great group paddle through Appleton.

Fox River Appleton Locks Paddle Video #1

Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers had a great paddle event on the Fox River in September. 119 kayaks and canoes started at Lutz Park in Appleton, went through the 4 Appleton locks and on to Sunset Park in Kimberly.

Here is a video with highlights from the beginning of the trip.

Stay tuned for additional videos from the Appleton Locks Paddle.