Little off subject,but I'll share weird experience.

Used to Ice fish alot on a local river. One night we got about ten inches of heavy snow. The river wasn't frozen all the way across. When we drilled our holes the water started coming up through the hole at a pretty goood rate. It was really weird.

I'm a big guy and everyone always wanted me to go out first. I didn't think it was funny.

3" of good ice is enough, I wouldn't risk it if you don't have much experience though!

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.

This was my first year Ice fishing I went out on 3 now its 5 1/2 6" The lake about 5 minutes away i fish everyday has a max depth on 9ft but I like it..Caught my first fish on a tip up, 22" northern

Congrats. I am going for the first time ever this saturday. I have been out shopping over the weekend. Got myself a few tip-ups and a pole. Can't wait to get out. My cousin said that the lake was about 5" about 30' from shore.

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

Ice over three inches that is dark in color in a lake with no currents is thick enough for me.

Same here callemin

Personally I feel comfortable with this: 2.5-3.5" of clear ice to walk around and fish from a lawn chair, 4-6" of clear ice for the wheeler and portable shack, 8" for the big shack and usually 12-14" for the truck (Ranger 4x4).

The biggest mistake made during early season is when someone ASSUMES that the ice thisckness is consistent. 4" can turn into 1" within 10'.

If you're not sure STAY HOME!!!!

Well said