Why I Choose to Guide Out of a SnowBear in the Glacial Lakes Region Webster, South Dakota
When winter hits the upper Midwest, most boats go into storage …but for me, the season is just getting started. Guiding in the Glacial Lakes Region around Webster, South Dakota has become one of my favorite parts of the year. There’s something about this area ….the scenery, the people, and of course, the fishing …that keeps me coming back season after season.
And when it comes to guiding safely, comfortably, and efficiently through snow, slush, and subzero temperatures, nothing beats doing it out of a SnowBear.
Why the SnowBear Makes the Difference
A SnowBear is more than just an ice-fishing machine …it’s a game-changer. It gives me and my clients the ability to move quickly between lakes and holes without ever stepping out into the elements.
When it’s 20 below and the wind is howling across Bitter, Waubay, or Enemy Swim, the SnowBear keeps everyone warm and fishing in comfort. I can move from spot to spot without packing up, setting up, and drilling in a storm. That means more time fishing and less time freezing.
It also gives me the flexibility to chase fish across the Glacial Lakes ….something a permanent house can’t do. Whether we’re after perch, walleye, or crappie, the SnowBear lets me go where the bite is hot …and get there fast.
Why Webster, South Dakota
The Webster area is the heart of the Glacial Lakes Region, and it’s one of the most diverse fisheries in the entire Midwest. You’ve got countless bodies of water within a short drive …Bitter Lake, Waubay, Enemy Swim, Pickerel, and dozens of smaller gems that change every year as water levels rise and fall.
Each lake fishes differently, and that’s what makes guiding here so special. One morning we might be targeting basin perch in 25 feet, and the next afternoon we’re chasing walleyes on a shallow sand flat with 8 inches of clear ice.
The area also has everything clients need …lodging, bait, and access to top-tier equipment through Dakota Lakes Lodge and Bait, where most of my clients stay during their trip. It’s a setup that allows for a true South Dakota ice fishing experience, start to finish.
Guiding Philosophy — Comfort, Safety, and Success
Guiding in a SnowBear is all about giving clients the best experience possible. Ice fishing can be tough …cold, unpredictable, and often a grind ..but it doesn’t have to be miserable.
My goal is simple:
✅ Keep everyone warm and safe.
✅ Cover more water efficiently.
✅ Find active schools of fish and keep rods bending.
Whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth, I want people to walk away saying, “That was the most comfortable and productive day I’ve ever had on the ice.”
From Open Water to Ice — Year-Round Guiding
When the ice melts, I trade the SnowBear for my open-water rig and continue guiding on Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, and around the Omaha metro area. But winter in Webster will always have a special place in my heart.
There’s nothing like watching someone catch their first perch or walleye through the ice …..and doing it in warmth and comfort inside a SnowBear makes the moment even better.
Book Your SnowBear Ice Fishing Trip
If you’ve never experienced a guided SnowBear ice fishing trip in South Dakota, now’s the time.
I offer fully guided trips out of Webster, SD, with lodging available at Dakota Lakes Lodge and Bait. Trips fill fast, especially on weekends, so booking early is the best way to secure your dates.
Book your SnowBear trip today at www.TomTomsGuideService.com
Let’s chase some perch and walleye across the Glacial Lakes …. the warm way.
