Marinas in Oshkosh, WI

The best time to boat in Oshkosh is late June through early September, when Lake Winnebago is warmest. A USGS report says the lake at Oshkosh reaches about 80°F in summer, while the National Weather Service usually provides its Lake Winnebago recreational forecast from April through the end of October.

Choose the day by the lake-specific wind and wave forecast, not just conditions on shore. The National Weather Service notes that winds over open water can be stronger than readings at nearby airports and that Lake Winnebago typically becomes windier in fall, making summer the more dependable period for warm-water outings.

Source: National Weather Service Green Bay (weather.gov)

From Oshkosh, boaters can reach Lake Winnebago, the Fox River, Lake Butte des Morts and Asylum Bay from local launches. Choose broad, open Lake Winnebago from Menominee Park or Fugleberg. The Fox River runs through Oshkosh between Lake Butte des Morts and Lake Winnebago; Rainbow Park and William Steiger Park provide access to this urban river corridor. Lake Butte des Morts is part of the shallow Winnebago Pool lake chain. For calmer, more sheltered water, Asylum Point has a launch on Asylum Bay with quick access to Lake Winnebago.

Source: City of Oshkosh Parks (oshkoshwi.gov)

Boaters from Oshkosh can make day outings to Lake Butte des Morts, Winneconne, Fremont, the Oshkosh Riverwalk and Asylum Bay. Lake Butte des Morts is featured as a lake tour, Winneconne pairs with scenic Wolf River and upper-lake cruising, and Fremont is offered as a destination trip. In Oshkosh, the Fox River Riverwalk provides transient docks and benches for a shore break. Asylum Bay offers calm-water fishing, quick access to Lake Winnebago and views of the lighthouse on its small island.

Source: Discover Oshkosh (visitoshkosh.com)

Wisconsin does not require a general boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1989 generally need boating safety certification or an accepted out of state equivalent and must carry proof aboard. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources administers the rule. No one under 10 may operate a motorboat. For motorboats other than personal watercraft, qualifying adult accompaniment is allowed for operators age 10 and older instead of certification. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 12, and those subject to the cutoff must be certified; accompaniment is not a substitute, and renters must be at least 16. Rental customers 16 or older may use the state rental education certificate, valid through that calendar year only for watercraft they rent. People born before the cutoff are exempt.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (dnr.wisconsin.gov)

Know Wisconsin’s life jacket, alcohol, registration, operator and invasive species rules before launching. Carry one U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket per person; personal watercraft riders must wear one. On federally controlled waters, children under 13 must wear one while underway in an open vessel. Operating with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher is illegal. Motorized boats and sailboats over 12 feet generally require registration.

No one under 12 may operate, lease or rent a personal watercraft; operators ages 12 to 15 need an approved safety certificate, and renters must be at least 16. Remove attached plants and animals and drain all water before transporting your boat. Check landing signs for stricter local rules.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (dnr.wisconsin.gov)

At 12, a person may operate a motorboat without supervision in Wisconsin after completing a boating safety course accepted by the Wisconsin DNR. Ages 10 or 11 may operate only with a parent, guardian, or designated adult at least 18 who has a valid boating safety certificate or was born before January 1, 1989. Ages 12 through 15 may use that supervision option instead of certification. Operators 16 or older born on or after January 1, 1989 must have completed an accepted course. No one under 12 may operate a personal watercraft, no one under 16 may rent one, and operators 12 or older must be certified; adult supervision is no substitute. The rental operator sets its own minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (dnr.wisconsin.gov)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Oshkosh has 2 boat rentals, 1 boat club and 4 boat dealers.