A few years back I hit early ice, Dec 4th, and did alright using a small jim's mini jig with a green head and just a small piece of worm, that or even a few maggots.
Started fishing a few inches off the bottom, until I found them feeding around a foot or so below the ice.
Here are a few pics,
The better half's fish.
Ice was maybe 5inches thick if that...
I was fishing mid way down the lake, there is place where people turn off and park. I was just out from there or opposite side to the Camp.