I want to second what Cecil said. If you're in an area that has enough ice to support you while you are working, putting in a dock this time of year is easier than any other time. We are building a 8' X 32' heavy duty dock right now. I am able to assemble and level the dock easily. Then it is just a matter of cutting holes in the ice for pilings. It would be close to impossible to do this any other time of year.
One other thing, we put a railing around all of our docks so that kids or people in wheel chairs can't fall in. The railing doesn't detract from but rather adds to the fishing experience. We also put a roof over the docks which makes for very pleasant fishing in the summer.
