I'm not trying to scare anyone off, but ice conditions where we fished this last weekend were not as good as this time last year. There is about 10 in. of powder snow, insulating about 2 in. of slush, then 4 - 8 in. of good ice. We went out on foot, and I spudded the areas very frequently, before I brought the rest of the group out. We fished lakes in northern Onieda co., and southern Vilas co. . I still would not bring a machine out just anywhere yet. Safety is the name of the game, good luck to all, and have a Merry Christmas !