Never started on most lakes but some in the NE has held ice all season, such as it's been. I haven't fished a lot but there's only been a couple times I haven't went due to ice conditions. Thought it was over 2 weeks ago but lakes continue to hold "fishable ice". It's not ice you can just run around on not paying any attention to what you're doing but if you know what you're doing, have safety gear and someone with you it ice you can feel comfortable fishing.
I haven't seen 4" of clear ice all season, too many temperature cycles. As long as the crappy grey stuff is tight, it's decent. As soon as it get warm you better pay attention to the cracks and all the crappy ice.
I think we'll have fishable ice again this weekend, might be the last but who knows.
