I've only ever ice fished farm ponds, but I have some reservoirs around here in Indiana. Are they safe to ice fish on, I would think the possibility to let water out and lower water level below where the ice formed would create bad situation. Maybe some of you with more experience can help out.

GENERALLY reservoirs take longer to cool enough to freeze and get SAFE ice on. There CAN be slanted ice formwhere the water level has lowered so do be CAREFUL! Trying off a 100` rope on to something immobile is ALWAYS a good idea; drill a hole 10- 20` offshore from a dock before going further is also a VERY GOOD idea; the ice will always be thinner the further you go out; if it`s not 5+" at the shore, STOP! ALWAYS have "ICE CLAWS" ON your person, WEAR them; if you need them and they are in your vehicle...always have a "space blanket" with you too. And try to fish in pairs; IF something happens having help immediately available can be the difference between living and dying. That said, try to find areas where the shoreline has deep water OR "cover", trees in the water, edges of weed beds, sharp drop offs, submerged creek channels. AVOID stream mouthes right next to shore, "heaves" in the ice and deep snow on the ice; all can conceal thinner/ weakened ice. And don`t be afraid to ask others for advice, most ice fishermen may not give away their personal "honey holes" but watch were the older guys fish. GOOD LUCK and BE SAFE!!!

most of them are ok to go out on, but they are a bit tricky at times. check with the locals to see if any go out on them and don't go it alone until you know for yourself about them. there will always be areas that you want to stay away from because of water current keeping ice unsafe. need to learn these spots and stay away.always be checking the ice as you move along, no matter how cold it has been.
if the reservoirs are for flood control there shouldn't be any problems. but those that are for generating electricty could present some problems, depending on how much water flow is being used. if they are generating at the flow of river, should be no problem. the other thing to be looking for is how much space is between the water and the ice. i did see it one time when i went on the ice on a reservoir in mi. that had a ft. of air between the ice and the water line. needless to say i didn't go out fishing that day.

as i stayed at the beginning.....talk with the local bait shops, find somebody that fish these bodies of water, get a friend that has fished them before to go with until you,learn the ropes and don't go it alone.........be safe not sorry

Thanks guys, great info.