Catching Early Ice Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout. These are stocked triploid fish and grow to very large sizes. Since these are not reproductive fish and more are added every season, I do catch some to eat. Early ice can be some of the best fishing of the year, but some of the most dangerous conditions as well. If you are not prepared to fall through the ice this time of year then you really should not be on the ice at all.
Try fishing shallow in lakes on shoals and points where fish should be cruising and feeding on the abundant aquatic insects this time of year. They will be foraging on scuds and boatman.
You will have to be quiet and not move much as your shadow is easily seen through clear ice and they can hear you talking and moving around. So go slow and if you're lucky you can even see the fish under the ice.
