Home / Our Story
Since 1993
Indiana's honest fishmongers
Three decades on the water and behind the counter — bringing real coastal seafood to the Midwest, and never cutting corners to do it.
Three decades on the water and behind the counter — bringing real coastal seafood to the Midwest, and never cutting corners to do it.
It began in 1993 with a simple idea: Hoosiers deserve seafood as fresh and real as anything on the coast. What started at the 56th Street Fish Market grew into Caplinger's Fresh Catch — a family of fishmongers who still pick the product, run the counter and fry the fish themselves.
Today that means four Indianapolis locations, the most extensive seafood selection in the city, and a reputation built one honest pound at a time — more than 4,700 five-star reviews and counting.
It's not a slogan — it's the reason Caplinger's exists.
While much of the Midwest passes off cheap farm-raised tilapia as premium fish, we sell the real thing — clearly and honestly labeled.
From cod to octopus to skate, colossal king crab to Louisiana alligator — "arguably the city's most extensive," per Indianapolis Monthly.
If we wouldn't serve it to our own family, it doesn't go in the case. Simple as that.
The family's fishmonger roots take hold, bringing real coastal seafood to Indianapolis.
The market-and-kitchen concept opens, pairing a fresh retail counter with a from-scratch seafood kitchen.
Caplinger's earns the state's top spot — a recognition it would go on to win three times.
Shadeland, Southside, Pendleton Pike and The AMP downtown — 4,700+ reviews and a LoveFood "best in the nation" nod.
Stop by any of our four Indianapolis locations — shop the market, grab the city's best fish sandwich, or plan a boil for the whole crew.
Find Your Location