MENASHA, WI — The Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA), which oversees the Fox River locks, is weighing a request from the University of Wisconsin‑Green Bay to fund a $20,000 study in 2027. The study would document the growth of the invasive round goby population in Lake Winnebago, a factor that could influence the long‑standing debate over reopening the Menasha lock.
Background on the lock closure
The Menasha lock has remained closed for more than a decade. The closure was intended to keep the round goby, an invasive fish that threatens native species and the lake’s ecosystem, from entering Lake Winnebago. Boaters and commercial users have long argued that the lock’s closure hampers navigation and economic activity on the lake.
Recent sampling results
During the summer, UW‑Green Bay researchers sampled six sites around the lake. Gobies were found near the Bowen Street Pier in Oshkosh, an area already noted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). No gobies were detected at sampling sites in Menasha, suggesting that the lock’s closure may still be limiting the fish’s spread into that part of the lake.
Proposed study and funding request
UW‑Green Bay has asked the FRNSA to allocate $20,000 for additional sampling in 2027. The request focuses on tracking goby growth throughout Lake Winnebago, not just at the lock itself. FRNSA directors expressed support for the study’s purpose at a Tuesday meeting, though no funds were approved at that time. The authority may consider the allocation at its October meeting.
Implications for the lock’s future
If the study shows significant goby growth in the lake, proponents of reopening the lock argue that keeping it closed would no longer serve its original protective purpose. Conversely, if the goby population remains limited, the lock’s closure could continue to be justified as a safeguard for the lake’s native ecosystem.
State regulatory context
In June, the Wisconsin DNR approved new rules aimed at curbing the round goby’s spread. Those regulations, combined with ongoing scientific monitoring, form the backbone of the state’s strategy to protect Lake Winnebago while balancing the needs of local boaters and businesses.
Community response
Local stakeholders, including recreational boaters, commercial operators, and environmental groups, are watching the study’s outcome closely. Many see the data as essential for making an informed decision that respects both the region’s economic vitality and its natural resources.
The FRNSA’s next funding decision, slated for its October meeting, will determine whether the $20,000 study proceeds. Residents can expect updates from both the authority and UW‑Green Bay as the research unfolds.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
