This time of year, its probably best to call bait shops. Sportsmans Shop, Empire Outdoors, Tag Limit Outdoors, or follow Buc's bait on facebook, as he often has good local reports. Unfortunately, they will all probably tell you nothing is safe yet. As of this morning a lot of little lakes are iced over, but I imagine ice thickness is minimal, as the same lakes were mostly open earlier this week. I think fellow fisherman stay pretty tight lipped this time of year, as they probably should. First ice can be sketchy up here as most of the lakes have several springs and streams coming in and out. We also got at least 6" of snow yesterday, which certainly wont help make ice.
LC, BC, and GT county all offer great fishing through most of the winter. You have to put the time in, probably do some sorting, and fishing pressure can be heavy depending on where you go. However, there is a lot of fish, and pretty much anywhere you go is insanely beautiful. Good luck out there.
