DrLuke - I am sorry to hear about your winter kill, but very glad to hear it was not a complete kill!!
I have begun to wonder if maybe more species tolerate a great range of (low) temps than previously thought? There I go guessing again.
You should talk to MNFish. He has proven that what you are guessing is correct. He is running aeration 24/7 in real winter conditions and his bass are thriving under the ice!