Fished on 4" this weekend. I hate the "black ice"..I usually get the 'eff off of it ASAP. Creeking ice doesn't bother me if the ice is thicker than 4". Fishing on a lake with springs leading into it can be scary...especially if you're not sure when the warm water/thin ice is at.

Also, I rarely ice fish over more than 15' of water. I 'gill fish from 5'-10' usually..tip-ups at 8'-15'..typically on drop-offs.