Hey All!
Ice in Minnesota is 'bring your your auger extension' thick. Problem is....so is the snow. Also slush between the snow and ice. Pretty tough going here, limited places to fish. But fishing anywhere/anytime is better than than being somewhere/anywhere else. Good luck folks! And be safe.
Oly

First of all....thanks for all the safety tips, been ice fishing for 40 years and picked up some good things. One thing I learned when I was in grade school. is to never cross the ice without carrying a long and strong stick. The Pole, the Dowel, the Broomstick or what ever could not only keep you from submerging over your dome, it can maybe keep you from falling through beyond your waist, by catching the ice and giving more area to support your weight. Mount a metal chisel on one end for a combo spud that doesn't weigh 15 pounds.     Like Red Green says...."keep your stick on the ice"   :}

OK. I have an idea that would scare Hoheisel for you...let him catch a fish that is actually bigger than 7 inches, that I think would scare him! HAHAHA......Seriously, Hoheisel is as dedicated to hardwater fisherman as anyone I've met. He has flown from Ohio to Minnesota on 2 occasions to fish walleyes with me. Minus 40 with a 45 mph wind each time....no problem for Hoheisel, he just wants more open holes.