We consider the classification of wake structures produced by self-propelled fish-like swimmers based on local measurements of flow variables. This problem is inspired by the extraordinary capability of animal swimmers in perceiving their hydrodynamic environments under dark condition. We train different neural networks to classify wake structures by using the streamwise velocity component, the crosswise velocity component, the vorticity and the combination of three flow variables, respectively. It is found that the neural networks trained using the two velocity components perform well in identifying the wake types, whereas the neural network trained using the vorticity suffers from a high rate of misclassification. When the neural network is trained using the combination of all three flow variables, a remarkably high accuracy in wake classification can be achieved. The results of this study can be helpful to the design of flow sensory systems in robotic underwater vehicles.