An icon returns: Lake Ice Bear on Sawdy Pond marks beginning of summertime in Tomahawk

TOMAHAWK – A beloved Tomahawk icon can once again be seen by residents and visitors alike.

The Lake Ice Bear, also known as the Hamm’s Bear, has returned to Sawdy Pond across N. 4^th St. from Trig’s, marking the beginning of summertime in Tomahawk.

The Hamm’s Bear has Tomahawk ties dating back more than six decades.

The bear was originally used as a Hamm’s beer advertising display at Leon and Florence Weizenicker’s Lake Ice business. George Weizenicker later suggested that the bear be mounted on an inner tube. Leon ran with the idea, adding a fishing pole and a can of Hamm’s beer, and the bear was floated in Sawdy Pond next to the Lake Ice establishment, where it quickly became a popular attraction.

The Lake Ice Bear could be seen in the water each year from the late ‘50s through the late ‘70s.

Following the sale of the Lake Ice business, the Hamm’s Bear became the property of former Tomahawk Leader publishers Larry and Kathy Tobin, who donated it to Tomahawk Fishing Unlimited in 1999.

The bear made appearances in many of Tomahawk’s annual 4th of July parades before being gifted to the Tomahawk Area Historical Society in 2018.

In 2019, a replica of the Lake Ice Bear, donated by Dave and Shane Mayer of Aquatic Arts and Wildlife Taxidermy, was placed on Sawdy Pond, breathing new life into the celebrated legend of years past.

Today, a bench dedicated in memory of Leon and Florence Weizenicker can be found along the sidewalk near Sawdy Pond, providing a fantastic view of the beloved bear, and a sign donated by Daigle Brothers Inc. features the backstory of the Tomahawk icon.