History

Lake Michigan yellow perch has been the canonical Wisconsin fish fry fish since the early 20th century, when commercial fishing fleets out of Milwaukee, Sheboygan and Two Rivers landed perch by the ton. The Wisconsin DNR limited commercial perch fishing in the 1990s after stocks declined, but recreational fishing still supplies area restaurants, and Lakefront Brewery, Pier 222 and River Lane Inn still feature it on the Friday fish fry.

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Common allergens: Gluten, Fish

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 20 minTotal 30 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 600g Lake Michigan yellow perch fillets, skin off
  • 200g panko bread crumbs
  • 100g all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • Neutral oil for shallow frying
  • Lemon wedges
  • Tartar sauce
  • Rye bread to serve

Method

  1. Pat the perch fillets dry with paper towels.
  2. Set up three shallow bowls: flour in one, beaten eggs in the second, panko mixed with salt, pepper and paprika in the third.
  3. Dredge each fillet in flour, then dip in egg, then press into the panko crumbs to coat both sides.
  4. Heat about half an inch of oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat to 350F.
  5. Fry fillets in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp.
  6. Drain on paper towels and finish with sea salt.
  7. Serve immediately on rye bread with tartar sauce, lemon wedges and a side of coleslaw. A brandy Old Fashioned at the table is canonical.

Tip from the editors. Yellow perch fillets are small, so fry in batches and don't crowd the pan. Walleye, cod or whitefish substitute fine if perch is unavailable.

Where to eat lake michigan perch

Lake Michigan perch in Milwaukee

Lakefront Brewery ★ 4.7

$$ BreweryWisconsin craft

Lakefront Brewery on North Commerce Street, founded by Russ and Jim Klisch in 1987, runs the city's defining Friday fish fry, weekly tours and a Riverwest.

Directions

River Lane Inn ★ 4.3

$$$ SeafoodDowntown

River Lane Inn on West River Lane in Brown Deer is a North Shore seafood room with Lake Michigan perch and cedar-plank salmon, running since 1981 here.

OrderLake perch fry on Friday and the cedar-plank salmon with lemon-butter.

TipReservations on OpenTable for Friday and Saturday; bar takes walk-ins from 16:30.

Directions

Third Coast Provisions ★ 4.4

$$$$ Tasting $75SeafoodChef Andrew Miller

Third Coast Provisions on North Milwaukee Street downtown is a Great Lakes-leaning seafood room with raw bar and walleye, smelt and whitefish from Lake.

Book2 weeks ahead

Directions Book

Blue Jacket ★ 4.3

$$ New AmericanBay View

Blue Jacket on East National Avenue in Walker's Point is a nautical-themed gastropub with a strong burger, Friday fish fry and a long cocktail program here.

OrderThe Blue Jacket burger with smoked cheddar and a Friday cod fish fry.

TipPatio fills in summer; book on Resy for weekend evenings Walk-ins usually OK.

Directions

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