Lower Fox River - Brookfield Township to Waukesha Frame Park

Trip Overview

Weather: Sunny, high of 58 degrees. Conditions: following a lite rain on 4/27, took advantage to canoe the lower fox, about 6 miles. Duration: 3.5 hours Distance: approx 6 miles (not GPS verified) Put in at Mitchell Park in Brookfield, canoe launch near the Brookfield Performing Arts center. Nice launch. Current was good and was able to navigate depth entire length of trip in a 164 Penabscott Old Town Canoe with three adult passengers. Not one other paddler was on the Fox at that time. Excellent wildlife viewing before the leaves come onto the trees. Shortly after launch needed to portage a low Mitchell Park foot bridge. Easy portage, the portage take out is a bit muddy however the put in is good with plenty of vegetation to walk on. Considerable nesting birds, ducks and geese, with ability to observe the recent hatchlings. Several hawks in the first two miles are nesting in this area and visibly active (possible to do with the nesting). About 1.5-2 miles into the paddle there is another portage due to fallen tree and subsequent debris. Easy portage, clean. Plenty of turtles sunning themselves as you pass Springdale road through Waukesha. A third portage was required, about 1 mile after where the Pewaukee River enters the Fox. This was the longest of the portages required. A kayak could maybe go for a shorter portage however the length of the canoe and brush required our group to portage about 50 meters over some fallen trees. Easy put in and was clear we were not the only ones recently making that portage based on the tracks on the river bank. Take out was at the Frame Park Rotary Building. Wildlife Observed: -Nesting Geese and multiple species of nesting ducks. - 7 ducklings and one proud mother - several fish (carp) in shallower areas - 1 deer along banks (no fear as we floated by) - 1 large owl that took flight as we past - several hawks, a few were quite active - 2 muskrats