Lake Michigan yellow perch is a sweet, mild freshwater fish, traditionally beer-battered or pan-fried, served on rye with tartar sauce and lemon.
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.
4 editor picks for Lake Michigan perch in Milwaukee, ranked by editorial score. All Milwaukee signature dishes · Lake Michigan perch across every city.
Lakefront Brewery ★ 4.7
riverwest · 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Lakefront Brewery on North Commerce Street, Russ Klisch's 1987 brewery, runs the city's defining Friday fish fry with a polka band and free brewery tours.
Third Coast Provisions ★ 4.4
724 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
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 Michigan.
River Lane Inn ★ 4.3
downtown · 4313 W River Ln, Brown Deer, WI 53223
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.
Blue Jacket ★ 4.3
bay-view · 135 E National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204
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.