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That's my local lake (Pineview Reservoir) one morning last year, showing some gorgeous ice fog at -10�F. After the fog burned off, there was so much microscopic ice that the air sparkled in the sunshine all day. One of the most magical sights I have ever seen.

There are a few fools who venture out on 3" but the saner ones wait for 4" even when alone. Once it passes that, it's pretty safe unless there's an invisible warm spring bubbling up.

Warm boots, good clothes, and some of those little hand warmer packets make ice fishing as enjoyable as summer fishing. The two miserable times of the year here are November - before ice - and March - before open water.

We had a week of below-normal temps in November (down to 11� one morning) but now it's above normal. It's 60� as I type this. We'll be lucky to have safe ice by New Years.

Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.