If anyone will be around Indian Lake about Jan 28, an ice inspection would be appreciated. If a good report, I will pack and load for a week of fishing!
Thanks a lot!

Problem ! The conditions look good for safe ice in the next few weeks. I would really enjoy being on the hard water past Feb. 6 th.  But, our 56 th wedding anniversary is that date. Fishing is not her thing. What  should I do to insure a 57 th anniversary ? Help !!

Walleye is probably the best tasting fish but fried filet gills dipped in a light batter are hard to beat.
Ice fishing gear is interesting. Started 35 years ago with my youngest son when he was 13 years old.We wanted to try the sport and decided to make our own rods. He made his and I made mine but we did it together!
Found a few soft water rods that were somewhat broken but the top ends still in good shape. Bought some 3 1/4" diameter open plastic spools ( reels ) probably at Wal Mart with 1" handle for winding and a threaded outside nut for " drag control ". Spool is attached to a plastic strip held to handle with 2 screws.
Wooden handles we made are 1 1/2 " X  1 1/2 " X 9" painted. Drilled a hole in the end of these and glued the rod into it. Perfect!
Made floaters from cork stoppers. Drilled a small hole thru the center, run Stren 6# extra limp line thru the hole, set the depth with a round toothpick and painted florescent orange for increased visibility. Bingo!
Use various colored teardrop jigs tipped with waxies or red spikes.
We made 5 or 6 poles that are still in exclusive use today by both of us. Caught 194 crappies and gills in 2015 at Indian.  Can't complain. Fun to make and the memories are immeasurable !!!

Have not heard anything about this for 2 years.Then the property on 273 near the bridge was still posted and private.It probably still is.Cars would park along the side of the road but even this , I recall, posed a problem with snow removal and how far off the roadway was OK. Tickets and towing could still be a problem.
You might try crossing the bridge which will be closer for North Fork fishing.I recall reading (who and where it is posted on this site - I can not find ) about someone a few years ago driving in the North Fork area trying to find a place to park.A property owner asked him if he wanted to fish and allowed him to park in his driveway! He even asked him when he was done fishing,if he wanted to come inside to get warm!
There are friendly land owners around but this was pure luck. If all else fails, one might just knock on a door. You just might get permission without being concerned about a ticket or towing away your vehicle.
I posted a possible solution to the parking problem under General Discussion/ Re. Indian Lake Parking on Feb. 5 2019.In summary, the problem is that the land is private. What if the ODNR, county or whoever bought the land and made a parking lot. I have received no replies.

That's the spirit, 58 ! Once you see the fish coming thru the hole, the pain will go away.
Good luck, my friend. 

Thanks, Slab!  That junk is totally unnecessary and not wanted or needed here.

Excellent explanation ,Downthehole, of snow on ice and your comments on latent heat. Having a career in thermodynamics, as you stated, maybe you could help me with my idea of an ice thickness detector. (under inventions in this site). A reply would be appreciated !