Use the right oil. Use a good quality oil with a high smoke point. Avoid virgin or extra virgin olive oil. Use plain old olive oil or, for higher temperature frying, light olive oil. Other types of oil, such as almond oil, can be used to give an interesting taste. If you want something cheap, corn oil is a good choice.
Step2
If the fish are frozen, thaw them first. Use cold running water or leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
Step3
Use thin pieces of fish. For pan frying, the thinner the better. Usually, you want the fish to be an inch thick or less.
Step4
Use breading if you want to. With basic ingredients such as eggs, milk, bread crumbs, and lemon, there are dozens of ways to prepare your fish.
Step5
Bring the oil up to temperature. depending on the stove you use, you should set the dial to medium or medium-high.
Step6
Add a few fish or fish pieces. Each piece of fish should have enough room to sit on the bottom of the pan and you should be able to easily flip them.
Step7
Flip the fish when the bottom is getting brown. Times vary widely between fish, but it shouldn't take longer than five minutes or so to pan fry a fish.
Step8
Remove the fish and place them on a piece of paper towel. This will remove excess grease.
Step9
Season the fish to taste. Use salt, pepper, paprika, lemon, or any other seasonings you desire.
Step10
Serve the fish while they are still hot.
Tips & Warnings
Be careful to not start the oil burning. If it begins to smoke, remove the pan immediately from the fire and place it on an unoccupied burner.
Be sure to use clean oil. Dirty oil smokes a lot and gives the fish a bad taste.
Novice 
