Fished Spec. Pond in IP Sunday. Knew it had been locked up since the last weekend of rifle season, so I figured it was a safe bet for the bait receipt. Bait dealer hadn't gotten any bait yet. All he had left was perch bait, a few heavy mediums, and some huge suckers. No spikes, no crawlers!?!?! Anyway, plenty cold Sunday morning. Somewhere around 6 inches of ice. Got some perch and three pickerel.
After we ran out of bait, cruised up to Newport. IP had a skim of ice. Salem had 2 inches. Two guys jigging perch on South Bay. 4 inches of ice there. Down 91 to Joe's pond. Before it locked up the wind had blown all the chunk ice down to the access and it looked pretty iffy. 5 inches by shore with less as you worked out. Stopped at another bait shop, no spikes there either.
Will add pictures as soon as the guy I went with sends them to me.
P.