I think Facebook has a lot to do with it as well.  I have seen a general slow down on a couple different forum sites i am a member of as well as one i run myself.
 Forums, in general, look clunky and outdated to the younger generation.  It takes a different mindset to keep track with the forums but anyone can scroll away through Facebook. It is just a lot more simple and convenient for many to use.  I get on and look at it, but rarely post there.    I also agree that forums in general tend to be more of a community feel than FB.  I've met up with 10 or 12 different people now from forums........ never met up with someone i talked with on FB.  My 15 year old daughter still reads me the riot act every time i say i am meeting up with some guy i met on the internet. haha

I've been on IFO 4 or 5 years now and only have a handful of posts.  Biggest reason is that members from the NW are few and far between.  Either that or the NW members just don't talk much because of the limited fishing areas?

I saw some talk about the edges and ramp area opened up (word was 6' out) with the warm up last week.  Probably going to try to get back up there this weekend.  I am assuming the main ice is still good but not sure if you can cross the edges yet?  Would love to hear if anyone makes it up. -: Russ

I fished it on Sunday afternoon.  Lots of 4" perch and some 6" walleye.  Did manage a 15" walleye.

2nd hand report so take it with a grain of salt. Heard the smaller reservoirs were close but the 2 bigger ones were not.

For comparison, i checked on Bellevue #4 (averages about 10' deep) yesterday and did not like it enough to venture out alone.  It had 4" total, but the top 2" were just frozen slush. 

Hey Ketchum.  Glad to see someone else from my general area.  I fish Willard a lot during the spring and fall...... gets too busy for my liking in the summer.  There are still plenty of walleye in there and some giants, they are picky as heck though.  Last years big fish for me was 27".  The perch, no clue what happened to them.  I have honestly not caught a perch in there for the last 3 years.  Before that, i could bring home 6 to 12 in a trip just casting from shore.  Never had much luck there through the ice, but also have not hit it very hard to learn it through the ice either.  Hoping to hit it up after dark this year (if the ice allows) and see if i can find one or 2 walleye.  I will probably be up checking Bellevue out this weekend.  Maybe we can meet up and fish sometime on the ice.

I will admit, i am one who shows up here once it starts looking like the ice will give us a chance.  I am in the NW as well and do not have a lot of options other than small city reservoirs close to home.  Most everything else is over an hour away.  Not a lot of ice fishing activity in this area either unless you are heading up to East Harbor or Whites Landing.  I think i am the only one to cut holes in my hometown reservoir most years.  Lets hope we get a good season!

Thanks for the update!  Weather looks promising to build some ice... hope to get out there this year a time or 2.