Fall in Wisconsin brings two sacred traditions: the Green Bay Packers and walleye fishing. Unfortunately, the calendar (and your spouse) demand you pick one. It’s the ultimate cheesehead conundrum: Do you spend Sunday in a recliner with nacho dip on your jersey, or freezing on Lake Winnebago/Bay of Green Bay trying to outsmart a fish with the IQ of a garden gnome?

The Case for the Packers

  • Easy Access to Beer: Lambeau Field or your buddy’s couch, the beer supply is endless. No casting, no netting—just a fridge door away.
  • Shared Misery: When the Packers miss a field goal, you can scream with 70,000 other people. When you miss a fish, the only one who hears you is a confused seagull.
  • Less Risk of Hypothermia: Your living room thermostat doesn’t drop to 35° with sideways rain. (Unless your wife keeps it at “Arctic Breeze” to save on the heating bill.)

The Case for Walleyes

  • Peace and Quiet: No loud announcers yelling “He should’ve caught that!” Just the sweet hum of your outboard and the occasional curse word when your line tangles.
  • You Might Actually Win Something: Unlike betting on the Packers, walleye fishing guarantees dinner if you succeed. Unless you’re the type who “catches and releases”—in which case enjoy that frozen pizza.
  • Therapeutic Excuses: “Sorry honey, I can’t rake leaves. The walleyes are biting.” Way better than, “Sorry honey, I was too busy yelling at the TV.”

The Tie-Breaker: The Weather

If it’s sunny and calm, fishing wins—nothing beats trolling boards sliding in the water like poetry. If it’s sleeting sideways and the wind’s howling off the bay, you’ll suddenly remember how comfortable a recliner is and how nacho cheese pairs nicely with fleece pajamas.

Conclusion

There is no wrong choice. Packers fans and walleye anglers are essentially the same species: we wear too much camouflage, complain about refs/weather, and believe every season is “the year.” The best solution? Fish until kickoff, lie about how many you caught, then watch the Packers blow a fourth-quarter lead.

That’s called the Wisconsin fall trifecta.