Best Walleye in Minnesota: Fish Fries and Sandwiches

The best walleye in Minnesota is a mild, sweet, flaky freshwater fish that cooks, locals insist, better than almost anything else in the lake. It appears on menus as a fish fry, a crisp sandwich, a grilled fillet and fish and chips, in Minneapolis and along the North Shore.

What makes the best walleye in Minnesota?

Walleye has a delicate flavor that suits a light batter. A good plate has a crisp coating that does not hide the fish, flesh that flakes apart and a squeeze of lemon. Wild-caught fish is a point of pride, and some restaurants say where theirs comes from. Farmed and imported fish also appear on menus, so ask if it matters to you.

The classic Minnesota walleye meal comes with fries or potato salad, coleslaw and tartar sauce. Some kitchens pan fry it in butter or serve it grilled with lemon and herbs, which is a good way to taste the fish itself.

Walleye also has a place in Minnesota's history. Anglers on the state's lakes have pulled it from the water for generations, and cooks learned to treat it gently, because the flesh is delicate and bruises easily. That is why simple preparations survive. A plate that tastes of fish, salt and butter is considered a success.

Where can you find Minneapolis walleye?

Several Minneapolis restaurants list walleye as a regular dish, usually as fish and chips in a local beer batter, a hot fish sandwich with crispy walleye or a plate with a seasonal side. Look for a menu that says where the fish comes from, since a kitchen proud of its Minnesota walleye will tell you.

A fish cafe or a downtown dining room can serve a good plate too, so read the menu for walleye before you sit.

How does a Minnesota fish fry work?

A fish fry is a social meal, often held on Fridays, especially during Lent. It started as a way for Catholic families and church halls to serve fish when meat was set aside, and it has become a general tradition in bars and restaurants. The Minneapolis tourism site puts it plainly: whether you observe Lent or just love a good fish fry, there are places to try.

Many fish fries are seasonal, and some run only on Fridays. A Star Tribune roundup of Twin Cities options dates to the Lent season, so check a current list. Arrive early, because popular rooms fill by six, and ask whether the walleye is a special or a menu regular.

Is a walleye sandwich a good way to try it?

Yes. A walleye sandwich puts a fillet in a bun with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce, and it is the easiest way to taste the fish without ordering a full plate. A version with slaw and aioli shows how a modern kitchen dresses it up. In towns around the state, a simple version on a toasted bun is a lunch staple.

Eat it while the coating is crisp. A walleye sandwich that waits in a takeout bag turns soft within minutes, so eat on site or open the bag as soon as you can.

Where do you find North Shore fish near Lake Superior?

The North Shore of Lake Superior runs from Duluth to the Canadian border and is a favorite road trip. A Two Harbors grill and bar is the main walleye stop, known for a fried walleye plate. Check the menu and any other locations before you go.

For North Shore fish beyond walleye, ask for whitefish, lake trout and smoked fish at local shops. Plan to take a cooler, since smoked fish travels well and makes a good gift. Many North Shore places are seasonal, so check dates before you drive.

How should you order if you have never had walleye?

Start with a fish fry or a sandwich. Both give you the fish at its simplest. Ask whether the walleye is wild caught or farmed, how it is cooked and whether the batter is made in house. If you prefer a lighter plate, ask for grilled or pan-fried walleye with lemon.

Pair the meal with a local beer or a cold soda, and leave room for a slice of pie. If you are traveling in summer, a lakeside patio and a basket of fish is one of the better ways to spend an evening. Minnesota kitchens are generous with portions, and one order of fish and chips can feed a hungry person twice.

What else should you eat around Minnesota?

Plan a larger trip with the Northeast Minneapolis and North Loop restaurants guide, then read brunch in Minneapolis and St. Paul for the morning after. For cheese and fish farther east, the Wisconsin cheese trail and Door County guide covers another Great Lakes fish boil. The US guides page lists more.

How do you remember the walleye you eat in Minnesota?

Walleye is a delicate fish, and the difference between a good fry and a heavy one is easy to forget by Monday. Rate the plate by the dish, add a Seafood tag and write a line on the coating and the sides.

Start a Minnesota Friday fish fry list, add each stop as you go and invite friends to add theirs.

Walleye is a dish worth tracking from lake to lake. Get the Mosey app, rate each fish plate by its coating, its flake and its sides, and keep a Minnesota list that tells you where to go on the next Friday.