RE: Ice thickness?
a really good tipu up that was my first purchase was a Frabill 10" Thermal Tip Up, Its sensitive and the hole dont freeze over it also has a lil storage compartment. I caught the northern in that one. One other tip up I like is Frabill Arctic Fire, Its also sensitive, A good rod I found wich it only one I got is the Rapala Ice Pro combo, With reel and Rod. It works great.
Good Luck