Wisconsin lake perch is a sweet, mild freshwater fish, traditionally beer-battered or pan-fried, served on rye with tartar sauce, lemon and a brandy Old Fashioned.
Wisconsin lake 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 Tornado Steak House, The Old Fashioned and Coopers Tavern in Madison feature it on the Friday fish fry.
3 editor picks for Lake perch plate in Madison, ranked by editorial score. All Madison signature dishes · Lake perch plate across every city.
The Old Fashioned ★ 4.8
capitol-square · 23 N Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
The Old Fashioned on North Pinckney, the Wisconsin canon codified into a tavern menu since 2005, runs cheese curds, fish fry and brandy Old Fashioneds.
Tornado Steak House ★ 4.6
capitol-square · 116 S Hamilton St, Madison, WI 53703
Tornado Steak House on South Hamilton, a block off Capitol Square, runs Madison's traditional supper club tier with steaks and the weekly Friday fish fry.
The Coopers Tavern ★ 4.4
capitol-square · 20 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703
The Coopers Tavern on West Mifflin, Food Fight's eleventh restaurant since 2010, sits at the top of State Street with 28 taps a block off Capitol Square.