Purchase a Winnebago County Boat Launch Use Permit... We'll mail it to you!
The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors approved modifications to Chapter 19.24(11) "Boat Landing Trailer Parking Permit Fees" to include the proposed modifications by replacing Boat Landing Trailer Parking Permits with Boat Launch Use Permit fees. All users launching a boat (motor boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, etc.) at Winnebago County Boat Landings are required to pay the launch use fee.
All permits previously purchased are good through their current expiration date. 2025 fees will remain the same.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY BOAT LANDING PAY STATION INFORMATION:
- All seven Winnebago County boat landings have a pay station.
- Pay stations accept cash or credit card for daily, annual, and multi-year permits.
- Resident permits are for Winnebago County residents only. If you live outside Winnebago County, you are considered a non-resident.
- If purchasing an annual or multi-year permit, you must bring your receipt to the Winnebago County Parks office within 14 days of purchase to receive your permit sticker.
- Winnebago County Boat Landings include: Asylum Point, Black Wolf, Boom Bay, Grundman, Lake Butte des Morts, Eureka, and Lake Poygan. View boat landing locations.
ABOUT WINNEBAGO COUNTY BOAT LANDINGS
The Winnebago County Parks Department collects Winnebago County Boat Launch Use Permit fees from mid-April through early November. Likewise, the Parks Department will start issuing warnings and citations for violations of the program rules during this time. Boat landing users can purchase an annual/three-year permit or pay the daily fee.
Winnebago County permits do not apply to all landings located in Winnebago County. The Winnebago County Parks Department operates seven boat landings, to which Winnebago County permits apply. All other boat landing permits should be purchased at the municipality of the jurisdiction for the area you are launching.
Overnight parking at Winnebago County boat landings is not allowed.
The Boat Launch Use Permit Program supplies the county with stable funding to provide a high standard of care for the boat landing properties. To facilitate this process, all revenue from the program is directed towards an account reserved for maintaining and improving Winnebago County boat landings. Ordinance No. 19.24(1). The last fee increase at Winnebago County boat landings was in 2018.
WHY THE BOAT LAUNCH USE FEE? WHY NOW?
In 2023, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources contacted the Winnebago County Parks Department regarding our Boat Trailer Parking Fee. They informed staff that per state code NR 1.91, the County could not charge for parking, but could charge for launching a boat. After doing additional research, staff recommend modifying the language in the code to charge a Boat Launch Use Fee. This requires all users who launch a watercraft at a Winnebago County Boat Launch to pay the user fee, not just the trucks and trailers parked within the parking lot.
On Sept. 17, 2024, The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors approved modifications to Chapter 19.24(11) "Boat Landing Trailer Parking Permit Fees" to include the proposed modifications by replacing Boat Landing Trailer Parking Permits with Boat Launch Use Permit fees. All users launching a boat (motor boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, etc.) at Winnebago County Boat Landings are required to pay the launch use fee.
DO I HAVE TO PAY THE BOAT LAUNCH USE FEE IN THE WINTER?
There is no charge for using Winnebago County boat landings during the winter season (typically mid-November to mid-March). There is a significant difference in cost during the winter compared to the summer. Considerations would include providing more year-round services. Summer maintenance includes mowing, placing portable bathrooms, cleaning permanent bathrooms, installing/removing floating piers, installing/removing kayak launches, monitoring launches with a ranger, installing/removing buoys, etc. Winter maintenance only includes clearing a portion of the parking lot for emergency services (police and fire) access to the water.
View the Winnebago County Boat Landing Map & Info
Annual & Three-Year Permit Fees
Resident (of Winnebago County) Permits:
- Annual Resident = $35
- Three-Year Resident = $75
- Annual Senior Resident (55+) = $30
- Three-Year Senior Resident (55+) = $60
Non-Resident Permits:
- Annual Non-Resident = $45
- Three-Year Non-Resident = $100
Supplemental: (Supplemental permits are for your second vehicle. You must purchase a regular permit before you can purchase a supplemental permit and you must show proof of ownership of the second vehicle.)
- Resident = $5
- Non-Resident = $10
- Three-Year Resident = $10
- Three-Year Non-Resident = $20
Three-County Permits (Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Calumet)
- Cost = $50
- Three-County permits can only be purchased online and at the Parks office.
- The sticker is a collaboration between Winnebago, Fond du Lac, and Calumet counties.
- These stickers can only be used on Lake Winnebago launches owned by these counties.
Daily Boat Launch Fees
- Cost = $7
- Daily permits are available at each Winnebago County boat launch.
Second Vehicle Permits
- When purchasing an initial permit sticker, a second sticker is available for an additional vehicle used by the same individual; proof of ownership is required.
- Second stickers purchased after the initial transaction, are only available at the Parks office.
- Not available for the three-County permits
Replacement Permits
- Available at the Parks office or Winnebago County Clerk's office only.
- You MUST remove the old sticker from your windshield and bring it with you when obtaining the replacement sticker. Peel the sticker off your windshield as well as you can and bring in the pieces.
- If you do not bring the old sticker back, a replacement fee of $5 may be applied when obtaining a replacement sticker.
Background
The Boat Launch Use Permit Program provides the County with a stable source of funding thereby allowing it to continue to provide a high standard of care for the boat landing properties. In order to facilitate this process, all revenue derived from the program is directed towards an account reserved for the maintenance and improvement of Winnebago County boat landings.
On an annual basis, the County expends approximately $90,000 within the Parks Boat Landing Operations Fund; Winnebago County has seven boat landings located throughout the county.
Additional Operating Costs
The County owns an inventory of 121 lit and unlit buoys that are annually placed out on the surrounding lakes. In order to facilitate this service each year the county dedicated more than $110,000 to install, maintain and remove these fixtures. In addition to the County’s maintaining the navigational aid system, the Sheriff’s Department appropriates approximately $40,000, along with state grants, towards operating its boat patrol. Other yearly costs include installation/remove of docks, porta-potties/bathroom facilities, and grounds maintenance.
Attachment of Sticker
The sticker must be attached to the lower left-hand corner of the driver's side windshield. If not attached properly, a citation will be levied.
Permits can be purchased in-person at the following locations:
Festival Foods
2415 Westowne Ave., Oshkosh
Fish Tales Bait & Tackle
4050 County Hwy A, Oshkosh
Winnebago County Clerks Office
112 Otter Ave., Oshkosh
Winnebago County Parks Department
625 E. County Road Y, Oshkosh
