allrighty, here's what i want to do. i'm tired of ice fishing in a half-a@#$d manner here around st. louis in the winter. we had our coldest stretch in 25 years and most of our lakes only built up maybe 4" of ice. next winter, i want to come up there for 4-7 days to really ice fish, in a shanty and everything. i'm doing research on this now though. when do you think would be a good time to do this? lake options? i would need one with a lodge or something real close where i could sleep. just looking for some info from the people that know. thanks in advance.