As far as good dates to ice fish anytime you have safe ice. Most of the fish are already staged for the spawn in the western basin. I will have info about the cost right after christmas for the guide service. i am waiting till he gets back from fishing down south. it looks like it will include transportaion to and from the shanty. a shanty and maybe the minnows. somewhere around $30 per person. i will let you know when i get the details.