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I've been hard-water fishing for just around 5 years now.
This is what I bring on any given trip:
Jet sled for hauling the gear
8" (size of hole it cuts) hand auger if ice is under 10" thick
10" gas auger for 10" or more (trust me, a hand auger will wear you out when cutting many holes through 10"+ of ice.)
5 gallon bucket to hold up to 10 tip ups, jigging stick, ice skimmer, and bait hand net (aquarium size)
Bait bucket that can hold up to 3 dozen shiners
(I have 2 different buckets. one that can hold 2 dozen and one that can hold 3-5 dozen, but only use the one needed for that day's bait supply. I usually carry the bait since some ice can be rough and will cause the bucket to slosh around. I also use an portable (battery op'd) aerator to help keep the fish lively.
thermos of hot spicy cocoa and tackle bag/box and a rag to dry my hands
I like to bring extra tip-ups and bait because you don't know how the fish will be biting, and if you lose a hook, you will have a spare rig ready to go.
I was up in the Lakes region last weekend and fished on Chocorua Lake in Tamworth, NH. I fished early in the day and managed 2 rainbows and a pickerel. They had 7-8 inches there, and with the current forecast, will be adding more over the next week.
Here, we may have to wait til the end of the year before we see any really safe ice east of Worcester.
They have had some safe ice out west, but that's one heck of a day trip if you ask me.
My favorites are Long Sought for Pond in Westford, Newfield Pond in Chelmsford, Heard Pond in Wayland, Lake Chauncey in Westborough, Winnicunnet in Norton and Russel-Sawmill Pond in Plymouth.
If you're looking for ponds in your area, or elsewhere, check out the pond maps on the Masswildelife website. They can give you ideas about what species you may want to target, and where to enter onto the pond/lake.
I hope this was helpful, and Good luck!
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