called them today and talked to a different guy who didn't know anything. on the way home from work i saw a truck parked at the gate by a spot 1/2 mile from home. walked a 1/4 mile back to the lake and talked to the guy fishing. he didn't catch much, but the ice was 5" where he was and thicker where i would fish at. he said he got some 15 inch crappies before it froze, so i know where i'm going in the morning.