I've fished Lake Francis two days in a row and have had luck on ctahing some nice sized northerns (up to 28 inches). I found the best bait for sucess were some fresh smelt I pickup up at a local grocery store fished about 2 feet of the bottom in 15 to 17 feet of water.

There is plenty of ice out there, at least 12 to 14 inches of good clear solid ice.