Hi Matt - are you a long time Middletown resident? I grew up in Topsfield. Glad to hear your interst in ice fishing..its a great way to enjoy the outdoors in winter. Here are some links to get you started.
Need to learn a few more rules but the key things you'll need to know/have on Winni
1. two tip ups per person (on water without lake trout you can have 6..if you are going out with kids and want to make sure you have some action then maybe going to a small lake/pond wher you can use 6 traps/person might make sense)
2. Looks like by the end of this week the ice will be 12''+inches so I highly recommend getting access to a gas auger..unless you're interested in a real work out using a manual auger.
Have fun
http://meredithrotary.org/Oct_2009/H...e_Fishing.html
http://www.nesportsman.com/phpbb3/vi...fac9ee01650158