Wisconsin Fish Fry's

Mornin' to everyone throwing a brat on the grill for the Brewers game tonight. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

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What we're munching on this week:

• Origin story of Wisconsin Fish Fry’s 🎣 

• Bear spotted in Madison 🐻 

• Northern Lights (don’t miss ‘em) 💫 

   

  

Wisconsin Fish Fry’s

Mmm. Friday Fish Fry’s. Is that Bottomless Perch I see on the menu? Aunt Sheryl, you gonna finish your coleslaw? These steak fry’s are nice ‘n’ meaty. Oh boy do I love me some potato pancakes…

Wha-?! Ah, sorry. Dozed into a daydream real quick there. Aw cripes, now there’s drool all over the keyboard.

Today’s topic is one loved by many a ‘Scon, one that brings people together every Friday for good food, friendship, and plenty of tartar sauce:

Friday Night Fish Fry’s

• Originated from the strong Catholic population in Milwaukee

• With lakes a-plenty, fish became a cheap and easy dinner

• War-time rationing spread this tradition around the state

Milwaukee’s melting pot

Our fish-fryin’ days can be traced all the way back to about 1292, when the Catholic Church outlawed meat on Friday. Not even Bratwurst?!

And since Milwaukee became ~heavily~ populated with Catholic Germans, Polish, and others, these ‘Scons had to find a way to get their protein without upsetting the Big Man upstairs.

Fast forward to about the 1870’s, and the city soon became the epicenter for fish “frys,” of walleye, bluegill, and perch, caught right in the chilly waters of Lake Michigan.

By 1880, Milwaukee had the highest population of any single-immigrant group of any city in America—and thus, the fish frys were here to stay.

Prohibition and war time

By the turn of the 20th century, many bars in the city began to offer Friday Fish Frys as a way to get us ‘Scons in the door.

Then, when Prohibition hit in the 1920’s, the sale of fish helped many taverns and breweries stay afloat. And thus, the relationship between beer and fish was cemented. Can’t say which we love more, to be honest…

And to throw even more grease on this frypan, red meat became rationed during WW2, and the Milwaukee-led tradition of fish fry’s soon spread all over Wisconsin and the rest of the midwest.

Fish fry’s today

During the 50s and 60s, Supper clubs helped shape the fish fry’s we’ve come to love.

They offered family-style and all-you-can-eat fish fry’s, complete with potato pancakes, buttered rye bread, cod, perch, walleye, bluegill, steak fries, coleslaw, and don’t you dare forget tartar sauce.

It went from a religious compromise to a deeply embedded Wisconsin tradition that brings together people from all walks of life to share fellowship and food.

Just check out this map that shows Fish Fry interest by state—clearly, we’re the only ones that know how to pull off this culinary delicacy!

Want more fish-fry facts to get your stomach grumbling? Check out this tasty documentary or the top-ranked fish fry’s around the state.

Now get out 'der!

NEW: Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Well you guys followed those northern snow storms pretty darn well this season! A whoppin’ 69% of you got it right: Wausau & Eau Claire tied for going 24” above avg snowfall this winter (don’t worry Green Bay, you were right behind at 22” above avg).

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🚗 IATA License Plate Drop: Stop what you’re doing—those groovy Ice Age Trail Alliance license plates we talked about a few months back are finally here! Spiff up your car’s look and help out this iconic trail. Now that’s a win-win!

🌌 Nort’ern Lights: A couple two-three amateur photographers captured the beaut’ Northern Lights up in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and cripes they bring a tear to our eye. Can’t see these in Chicago…

🐻 Bear gets to stay there: On advice of the DNR, the Madison police will not be removing a black bear seen on the southwest side of the city. The fella will apparently be left to decide his fate on his own. Just stay out of my garage fridge alright?

Events!

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY BIG SIT - Bring your camp chair, binoculars, field guides and apps and join the Moraine Shores Audubon for a World Migratory Bird Day Big Sit event.

Location: Sanderling Nature Center in parking lot P3 - Kohler-Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI

Date & Time: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

DUTCH OVEN COOKING WORKSHOP - Join Laura Huber and practice using a Dutch oven as we learn about equipment, equipment care, fire-building, cooking techniques, recipes, and more. Preregistration is required before May 3, along with a $20 registration fee per person. Register here

Location: Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center - Sandhill State Wildlife Area - Babcock, WI

Date & Time: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

WORK PLAY EARTH DAY - Volunteers help spruce up the park and enjoy waterfalls and wildflowers. Sign-up and orientation at 9 a.m., brat fry at noon, prize drawing for overnight stay at AmericInn.

Location: Copper Falls State Park - Mellen, WI

Date & Time: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Meme of the Week 😂 

A review from the Trail... Always appreciative of you guys