I love catching, preparing, and eating fish. Only occasionally do I get skunked on my fishing trips—okay, maybe more than that. But I have had my fair share of successes fishing across America. As I contemplate my favorite fishing experiences, I want to share my favorite freshwater fish to eat. Hands down, the best freshwater fish in America to eat is Walleye. As I am writing this article, my mouth salivates just thinking about some pan-fried walleye fillets. But there are so many other wonderful fish to eat. Here are my top 10 favorite freshwater fish in order of deliciousness!

While fish nutrition varies due to fish age, size, and location. I still wanted to provide a nutrition table according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

Freshwater Fish Nutrition Table (* Assumed the same as perch, ** Assumed the same as panfish)

Top 10 Best Tasting Freshwater Fish

1. Walleye 

• • Where to Catch It: Great Lakes, Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan), Canadian Shield lakes, Dakotas. Check out the best Walleye lakes in Minnesota!
  • Why It’s a Favorite: Considered one of the best-tasting freshwater fish, walleye is a favorite among anglers and chefs alike. It’s light, delicate, and flaky characteristics make it versatile to pan fry, beer batter, blacken, or bake. Walleye are fun to catch and even more enjoyable to eat. Whenever I make my annual pilgrimage to northern Minnesota, mission number 1 is filling the freezer full of Walleye fillets.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Lean source of protein, moderate Omega-3s, and essential vitamins like B12 and D.

2. Salmon 

• • Where to Catch It: Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, British Columbia), Great Lakes (Michigan, New York), Atlantic regions (Maine, Nova Scotia).
  • Why It’s a Favorite: Packed with heart-healthy Omega-3s, making it one of the most nutritious fish. But it is a savory and rich cut of meat. Early in my marriage, my wife did not care much for fish. I brought home a load of Salmon from Lake Michigan and challenged her to try my fish. She reluctantly agreed. It was a situation where I had one chance to change her mind about fish. If I failed, my legacy of being a fish hunter-gatherer could be on the line. So, I found a great recipe online grilling the salmon with a sugar soy sauce glaze. She fell in love with fish after this meal. And today, she likes fish even more than I do. So, Salmon has a special place in my fish heart.
  • Nutritional Benefits: High in Omega-3s, vitamin D, and B12.

3. Crappie 

• • Where to Catch It: Midwest, Southern U.S. (Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas), Great Plains lakes.
  • Why It’s a Favorite: Easy to catch, fun for all skill levels, and delicious when fried or grilled. If I can’t catch Walleye, Crappie is a great shore lunch, pan-fried option. It is especially a great fish for family fish dinners.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Lean, low-calorie fish with moderate protein and essential minerals.

4. Catfish

• • Where to Catch It: Southeastern U.S. (Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama), Midwest rivers (Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee), large reservoirs.
  • Why It’s a Favorite: A Southern favorite that’s excellent for frying or blackening. My Georgia roots should probably be putting Catfish higher on the list. It is a very tasty fish, moist and juicy.
  • Nutritional Benefits:  Good source of Vitamin D. It’s not the most healthy fish, but its great tasting and probably a healthier option than many other options.

5. Perch 

• • Where to Catch It: Great Lakes region, Upper Midwest, and northeastern U.S. (New York, Pennsylvania, Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin).
  • Why It’s a Favorite: A favorite among anglers for its abundance and taste. I don’t target perch much. But if I catch them large enough to keep, I will gladly put them on the stringer.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Good protein, good Omega-3 content, and rich in potassium.

6. Smallmouth Bass 

• • Where to Catch It: Great Lakes, Upper Midwest, Ozark Mountains, Appalachian streams.
  • Why It’s a Favorite: An aggressive fighter that makes for an exciting catch. I grew up going to Burntside Lake in Ely Minnesota. The staple fish was Smallmouth Bass. While I don’t care for Largemouth, Smallmouth is less gamey and more tender. Depending on regulations, Smallmouth Bass 12 inches to 18 inches are good eating size. Larger fish start getting a little gamey and I throw them back. Plus if I catch a big Smally, she’s likely a female full of eggs and its best for the eco-system if I let her go.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Lean, protein-packed, with a solid amount of Omega-3s and vitamin B12.

7. Trout 

• • Where to Catch It: Rocky Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, Great Lakes, cold-water streams in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Why It’s a Favorite: Whether grilled, smoked, or baked, trout is a nutritious and delicious option. Trout really is not my favorite fish to eat. I typically eat them blackened. If you have a good recipe – please share in the comments below. I am looking for a better way to prepare trout.
  • Nutritional Benefits: High in Omega-3s, vitamin D, and protein.

8. Tilapia 

• • Where to Catch It: Southern U.S. (Florida, Texas, California) and stocked lakes in warm climates.
  • Why It’s a Favorite: An affordable and versatile fish that’s easy to cook. This is the only one I have not personally caught and cleaned. Tilapia is a freshwater fish you can easily get at the store. I prefer to catch and clean my fish, but this is an affordable freshwater fish option.
  • Nutritional Benefits: A good protein source with essential minerals like potassium and magnesium.

9. Panfish (Bluegill and Sunfish)

• • Where to Catch It: Nationwide in lakes, ponds, and rivers from the Midwest to the Southeastern U.S.
  • Why It’s a Favorite: Fun to catch, especially for beginners, and great for frying. My kids love catching and eating bluegill. Be careful to make sure the water quality where you are fishing is acceptable for keeping Bluegill. Do not eat any fish out of retention ponds or anywhere else that collects chemicals and fertilizer run-off.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Low in fat, good protein, and contains beneficial vitamins and minerals.

10. Northern Pike 

• • Where to Catch It: Northern U.S., Canada (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), Great Lakes, large northern rivers.
  • Why It’s a Favorite: A challenging fish to catch but excellent when prepared properly. When prepared poorly – its gross. I typically throw back pike because they are a pain to clean with their ‘Y-bones.’ But I have tasted some good Shore-Lunch pike and so it comes in at number 10.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Lean source of protein, moderate Omega-3s, and essential vitamins like B12 and D.

4 Best Ways to Cook Freshwater Fish

1. Classic Pan-Fried Shore-Lunch Fish (Best for Walleye, Perch, Crappie, Bluegill)

• • Method:
    • Dredge fillets in flour mixed with seasoning.
    • Pan-fry in butter or oil until golden brown.
    • Serve with fresh lemon slices.
  • Why It’s Great: Simple, quick, and lets the natural flavor of mild fish shine. A family favorite!

2. Blackened Fish (Best for Catfish, Bass, Tilapia)

• • Ingredients: Blackening seasoning (paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, thyme), butter, lemon juice.
  • Method:
    • Rub fillets with blackening seasoning.
    • Sear in a hot skillet with butter.
    • Serve with rice or fresh salad.
  • Why It’s Great: Adds bold, smoky, and spicy flavor to mild fish. Low carb and healthier option!

3. Sugar Glaze (Best for Salmon, Trout)

• • Ingredients: Cedar plank, olive oil, garlic, lemon, fresh herbs.
  • Method:
    • Marinade Salmon in glaze.
    • Grill each side for a few minutes.
    • Serve with roasted vegetables.
  • Why It’s Great: Sugar makes everything great. It is no exception here. My kids devour this recipe!

4. Beer-Battered Fish Fry (Best for Perch, Walleye, Crappie)

• • Ingredients: Flour, baking powder, beer, salt, pepper, oil for frying.
  • Method:
    • Mix flour, baking powder, and beer to create a batter.
    • Dip fillets and deep-fry until crispy.
    • Serve with fries and tartar sauce.
  • Why It’s Great: The beer batter gives an extra crispy, golden texture to fried fish.

Conclusion

• Whether you’re after the best tasting fish (walleye, perch, crappie), the most nutritious (salmon, trout), or the most exciting to catch (smallmouth bass, northern pike), North America offers incredible fishing opportunities.
• These four cooking methods are the best ways to prepare freshwater fish while keeping their natural flavors intact.
• Next time you’re out fishing, try one of these recipes and bring out the best in your catch!

Works Cited

U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Retrieved from Agricultural Research Service: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-search?type=Foundation