I love that ole familiar “thump” of a fish, it has been quite a few months since I felt that on my ice rod. First ice is one of my favorite times of the year. The lake levels are different this year from last year. The fish will have moved, but they always do. Out west we face fluctuating reservoir levels every day. When first walking onto the ice I have learned to look at the lake edges and use that information to guide me where to fish.