Watching a ice fishing show with Marcus Quam in South Dakota. He has a Sno-Bear he drives around in. Seems like the ideal thing if you’re guiding or live on a lake. He has more screens in there than some sports bars.
Not my cup-o-tea but I can see where clients would like it.
I just watched that too. Sure would be fun to have one, but I couldn’t justify it.
I just watched that too. Sure would be fun to have one, but I couldn’t justify it.
i think Kim and Rick out of highbanks had one for a season or 2 but got rid of it.
never seen one up close.
Good friend had one in South dakota for a couple years bur sold it 3 years ago couldn’t afford the insurance on it anymore.
Watching a ice fishing show with Marcus Quam in South Dakota. He has a Sno-Bear he drives around in. Seems like the ideal thing if you’re guiding or live on a lake. He has more screens in there than some sports bars.
Not my cup-o-tea but I can see where clients would like it.
Only about a $100k rig…definitely sweet though.
They’re are tons of them around that waubay area . Cool toys but quite the price tag.
There are some 2018 used ones for sale in Devils Lake for only $70k!!
They are all over on that lake. Pretty cool rigs. Seen some that have their own $40k enclosed trailer to haul home too!
Too many moving parts in that rig for me. A lot of maintenance beyond my abilities. Simpler is better in my world.
But for a guide just driving out dropping it down has to be easier than dragging houses around, not to mention just hitting a button to raise it and go.
100k is alot of money but theres lots of big buck boats around also.
Yeah they are pretty dang slick. Saw a few on low over the years. They are no speed demon that is for sure. Setup was quick for sure.
Yeah they are pretty dang slick. Saw a few on low over the years. They are no speed demon that is for sure. Setup was quick for sure.
Didn’t I read somewhere you are suppose to drive slow on the ice? I don’t recall the reason but think I read that. Maybe not. 
Well yes you should but I think you can walk faster than these things LOL
Not much for plowed roads on the ice in the Dakotas. Hard to run a ice guiding business when you are not sure if you can get out or back due to a bit of snow or wind. And having fishing success is greatly increased when you can fish good areas that the average Joe can’t get to.
I would concur. Fairly common in NE SD and SE ND where fishing access is unique (many small lakes that used to be marsh). I have been told that well to do farmers love them.
But for a guide just driving out dropping it down has to be easier than dragging houses around, not to mention just hitting a button to raise it and go.
100k is alot of money but theres lots of big buck boats around also.
Walleye Dan calls it, his “winter boat”
I think they move along at a decent clip. See them all the time when I’m lucky enough to be on the ice on Devil’s Lake ND. Also on Big Stone SD. They actually have a Snow Bear only fishing tournament on Big Stone each winter with like 70 of them things.
I’d like to fish in one for an hour just to see if it would be as cramped as I imagine. But I don’t wanna pay for it! 
But for a guide just driving out dropping it down has to be easier than dragging houses around, not to mention just hitting a button to raise it and go.
100k is alot of money but theres lots of big buck boats around also.
I checked his website and he gets $800 a day flat rate, 2 day minimum. That’s a lot of trips to pay for a $100k machine. Clearly has outside income and or sponsorship/guide pricing.
I’ve fished in a snobear a few times. 3 people, we had plenty of room. Pretty convenient and comfy fishing. My biggest challenge was the propane heat made my eyes water pretty bad.
I checked his website and he gets $800 a day flat rate, 2 day minimum. That’s a lot of trips to pay for a $100k machine. Clearly has outside income and or sponsorship/guide pricing.
Running some #’s. 100,000 loan at 6% for 10 years is a payment of 1110.00 if he books 2 days at 800.00 a day thats 1600.00. That covers the loan and puts 490.00 exta into his pocket. My guess is he’s not only booking 2 days a month. Not that hard to make it work for him.
Had a friend that had 2 of them. Must not have liked them he doesnt have them anymore3
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dutchboy wrote:</div>
But for a guide just driving out dropping it down has to be easier than dragging houses around, not to mention just hitting a button to raise it and go.100k is alot of money but theres lots of big buck boats around also.
I checked his website and he gets $800 a day flat rate, 2 day minimum. That’s a lot of trips to pay for a $100k machine. Clearly has outside income and or sponsorship/guide pricing.
I find the 2 day minimum a bit odd in his rate program.
We have fished out of a bear in Devils lake the last ten years. Six of us go and we rent two bears with guides. The only way to go out there. You are guaranteed to fish every day regardless of weather. Not so if you go with portables. We go for four nights and three days of fishing. Heading out there last of February. Had some epic perch bites and good walleye over the years. Usually Walleye until mid morning and then the perch come on.
We went out of Woodlands in permanent houses the first two years. Don’t waste your money. Then went Perch Patrol in portables. Fishing was much better. Then we went guided Sno bear and never looked back. A Sno Bear is the closest you will get to ice trolling. Sometimes we only move 40 yards or so. From the time you reel up to move and get your lines back in the water is under ten minutes.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>AK Guy wrote:</div>
I checked his website and he gets $800 a day flat rate, 2 day minimum. That’s a lot of trips to pay for a $100k machine. Clearly has outside income and or sponsorship/guide pricing.Running some #’s. 100,000 loan at 6% for 10 years is a payment of 1110.00 if he books 2 days at 800.00 a day thats 1600.00. That covers the loan and puts 490.00 exta into his pocket. My guess is he’s not only booking 2 days a month. Not that hard to make it work for him.
I like your enthusiasm, but I’ll take a hard pass.
I personally would not want to be on the hook for a $1100 month loan ($13,320 a year), coupled with expenses like insurance, advertising, bait, fishing gear, fuel, and maintenance.
Ice seasons are short, especially in South Dakota and last year had to be awful to be in the ice fishing business with high overhead. This year we’re all having decent ice conditions, but who knows what future winters will bring.
I’m not saying you can’t make money with a Snobear, but margins have to be razor thin.
Fish Webster it seems like everybody has them, lol. Cool but no thanks.
Fished with Marcus’s “guys” and had a great time but there are some drawbacks.
We were in Webster area and a lake with the hot bite in the area with an 8’ max depth and a ton of weeds.
When we did move, it was a pain in the rear and the guide was hesitant to move once he randomly drove to a different spot. The lake was filled with weeds and by the time we pulled all the hole sleeves and drilled new holes, 2 of the 3 of us couldn’t see down the hole since we were right on top of weed clumps. We also were followed every time we moved to a new spot because everyone figured the guys in the SnoBears were guides or knew what they were doing.
In summary, very comfortable and easy to fish and great for taking people who don’t want to get cold or just want to have a good time and your experience may vary depending on the lake you’re fishing.
Would do it again, but would like to try a different lake for sure.
They actually have a Snow Bear only fishing tournament on Big Stone each winter with like 70 of them things.
There’s a dealer in Sisseton that runs the Big Stone tourney, same reason you see a bunch in NE SD.
I’ve had friends do that in DL and in NE SD on lakes other than Waubay and Bitter, it’s on my bucket list for sure.
I think there is someone at Red Lake that runs at least one if not two bears.
Running some #’s. 100,000 loan at 6% for 10 years is a payment of 1110.00 if he books 2 days at 800.00 a day thats 1600.00. That covers the loan and puts 490.00 exta into his pocket. My guess is he’s not only booking 2 days a month. Not that hard to make it work for him.
I have heard some weekends he is running 6-8 guide bears
Snobears are so 2018, Sherpa’s are the new 100k+ ice fishing rigs people need. 
My buddy has one for sale in Stillwater. It is only 89,900.00. His wife has it posted on FB. I asked his wife if I could try it out on Devils Lake ND. Let me know if anyone is interested. I can point you to the add on FB.
SNOBEAR with Garmin GPS Maps 1243 XSV Livescope System
2022 Snobear TL with Hyundai Engine
Only used one year, under 10 times.
Completely serviced, ready to go.
100AH Lithium house battery with charging system
Jardum System touchscreen dash
4 Speaker Stereo System
Rear exterior auger mount
Billstein shocks upgrade
AquaTraction Flooring
4500 lbs. winch with winch receiver plate
48″ Bench with Custom Top
Custom cooler rack
Custom grill rack
Espar diesel heater mounted in bench
Garmin GPS Maps 1243 XSV Livescope System
Front mount 22″ Livescope HD TV
Back mount 20″ Livescope HD TV
Front and Rear interior auger mounts
3 swiveling premium gaming chairs
5th hole
Front generator rack
30lbs LP Tank
Hardkor LP Tank Regulator Heater
Remote operated, changing color LED strip lights on the floor and ceiling
LED interior cabinet lights
Miles – 167
2022 Aero Trailer $15,900
8.5′ x 20′ TA52 Custom
Snobear trailer/Insulated Cap
No Trades – Cash Only
Need to sell Snobear first before trailer is available.
Location Somerset, WI
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