Yeah, I usually stand on the dock, drill straight down and measure. Then, if i feel that is safe, i go about 10 yards out to where the first of many good fishing spots are located, and i test it there. Wherever i am planning on going, unless i know the ice is a good 8 inches, i drill at least one test hole along the way, stop and measure. You can never be safe enough.
Also, it helps to know where your upwells of warm water are. Like my dad's pond bubbles water up from a variety of deep springs, so water that in the summer feels ice cold comes up, and the ice is always last to form there, and remains clear longer than anywhere else. If it is in any way shaky ice, stay away, stay far away from those spots.
Looking for "honeycomb" ice is a good indicator too.
-mike
Trying to help with 7.5 Acres in the Chain of Lakes Illinois - - The fish would stay out of trouble if it could just keep its fool mouth shut. Turns out there is a lot I should be learning from the fish.
