Lake Michigan whitefish, brined then cold-smoked over apple or maple wood, served as a whole fish or flaked into salads, dips and chowders across Milwaukee.
Commercial whitefish fishing on Lake Michigan dates to the mid-1800s when German and Scandinavian fishermen settled the Lake Michigan ports of Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Two Rivers. Smoking preserved the catch for shipment inland; Empire Fish Co. on East Layton Avenue and Susie Q Fish Market on East Mason Street still smoke whitefish daily. The smoked fish is now a Wisconsin specialty staple, paired with rye crackers, dilled cream cheese and a beer.
2 editor picks for Lake Michigan smoked whitefish in Milwaukee, ranked by editorial score. All Milwaukee signature dishes · Lake Michigan smoked whitefish across every city.
Milwaukee Public Market ★ 4.5
400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Milwaukee Public Market on North Water Street in the Third Ward, opened in 2005, houses 20 vendors including Thief Wine, West Allis Cheese and St Paul Fish.
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.