These Classic Fish Fry Joints Are So Perfectly Wisconsin

Small town pubs and old school supper clubs, brewery beer halls and centuries-old historic joints - all serving up the most iconic of Badger State meals - the Friday night fish fry in Wisconsin! Though most popular during Lent, it's always a wonderful time to enjoy some of the best fish fry in Wisconsin. Sometimes they come with fries, sometimes with potato pancakes, always with slaw or potato salad and some bread. This is by no means an exhaustive list - even the internet doesn't have room for a list of all the wonderful spots to get a Friday night fish fry in Wisconsin - but here are some spots you should definitely try:

1. Owl's Nest - Poynette

A particularly popular choice when smelt season comes around, folks also rave about the beer battered cod. Located at 617 E North St, Poynette, WI 53955. To learn more, check out our review of the Owl's Nest in Poynette.

2. Crawfish Junction - Milford

So. Many. Options. Baked or deep fried cod, fried lake perch, fried bluegills, fried walleye, shrimp, scallops, alligator, and frogs legs. Despite being well outside the city limits, they've been voted best fish fry in Madison. Huge portions, delicious flavor and the ability to do combo platters make this a stellar option. Located at W6376 Co Rd A, Johnson Creek, WI 53038. Check out our full coverage about Crawfish Junction to learn more.

3. Dexter's Pub - Madison

This unassuming little spot has one of the biggest beer tap lists you'll see and uses wild-caught, sustainable fish for their fish fry - often they'll be able to tell you the provenance of the fish. It's a very Madison take on the fish fry, but the results are still delicious. Located at 301 North St, Madison, WI 53704. To learn more, visit the website for Dexter's Pub in Madison.

4. Lost Land Lake Lodge - Hayward

Open since 1923, this lodge is literally on the shores of Lost Land Lake. Fridays bring an AYCE fish fry that draws folks from all over. The house made tartar sauce is amazing. Located at 9436 W Brandt Rd, Hayward, WI 54843. Check out the Lost Land Lake Lodge website for more information.

5. Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall - Milwaukee

The Beer Garden here is one of those places that either you know about or don't and those in the know are constantly singing its praises. Folks know to go to Lakefront for a fun brewery tour, but the big surprise is how absolutely amazing the food is. Perch, smelt and cod are your options, or mix it up in a combo. The dinner doesn't come with fried cheese curds, but these guys have the best ones I've ever had, so definitely get some for the table. Located at 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212. To learn more, visit the website for Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall in Milwaukee.

6. Daddy Maxwell's - Williams Bay

The homemade grated potato pancake is the star, but the fried haddock and lake perch aren't bad, either. If you're not up for fried, the grilled lemon pepper haddock is an awesome alternative. Located at 150 Elkhorn Rd, Williams Bay, WI 53191. Check out the website for Daddy Maxwell's Diner to learn more.

7. The Hale House - Hales Corners

Though it's a newer addition to the scene in the Milwaukee area, everything here feels old-school. The potato pancakes and applesauce are house made and the atmosphere feels as familiar as if you'd been coming here for years. Located at 10539 W Forest Home Ave, Hales Corners, WI 53130. For the latest information, visit the website for The Hale House Restaurant.

8. Kegel's Inn - West Allis

This German restaurant has been open since 1924 and on Fridays it's always jam-packed with families who have made a fish fry part of their tradition. Again, it's the potato pancakes that are the star, but the cod, lake perch, walleye, bluegill and baked cod options certainly don't disappoint. Located at 5901 W National Ave, West Allis, WI 53214. Visit the Kegel's Inn website to learn more.

9. Patsy's Bar and Grill - Washburn

This fish fry features local Lake Superior whitefish provided by a local fishery. It's perfectly battered and fried and it's the stuff of local legends. Located at 328 W Bayfield St, Washburn, WI 54891. For more information, check out our article about other amazing restaurants in Wisconsin.

10. Deep Lake Lodge - Iron River

This old-school supper club in Wisconsin offers fried, baked and blackened fish, giving you all the options - and flavors - you could want in a fish fry! Located at 67975 E Deep Lake Rd, Iron River, WI 54847.

11. Aunt Mary's Hooterville Inn - Blue Mounds

This fry is all delicious cod, and it's fried to perfection each and every time. There's a cheesy hash brown side option that's unusual for a fish fry but really, really delicious. Located at 10992 Division St, Blue Mounds, WI 53517. This is one fish fry in Wisconsin worth standing in line for!

Have you been to any of these spots? Who do you think does the best fish fry in Wisconsin? Let us know in the comments!

Looking for another "fish fry near me" in Wisconsin? Check out Rushing Waters and Schwarz Fish Market.