Going Swimmingly

Each month has a slew of wacky designations dreamed up by food marketing boards across the country. (We're in the middle of National Popcorn Poppin' Month, if you didn't know already.)

But one we can really get behind is National Seafood Month (also October), a perfect excuse to give some love to Great Lakes fish. Here are three of the city's best-priced (and most charming) sources for regional fish:

Isaacson & Stein Fish Company This 50-year-old family business offers some of the lowest prices around. Don rubber gloves and grab your own whole Lake Superior whitefish or walleye (the staff will skin, fillet and debone it for you), or pick up fillets of lake perch or trout. 800 W. Fulton Market; 312-421-2444 or isaacsonandsteinfishcompany.com

Dirk's Fish & Gourmet Shop Dirk Fucik keeps an eye on seafood sustainability alerts put out by Shedd Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium and other watch groups, and stocks his Lincoln Park store accordingly. You'll always find Great Lakes walleye and jumbo whitefish, and can call a day ahead to request just-caught yellow perch. 2070 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-404-3475 or dirksfish.com

Robert's Fish Market The 92-year-old namesake of this kosher shop in West Rogers Park still comes by the store each day. Robert's offers Lake Superior whitefish and lake trout as well as walleye from Red Lake, Minnesota--and will give you a great recipe for gefilte fish if you ask for it. 2916 W. Devon Ave.; 773-761-3424