Just which locals? I live as close to Mitchell's Bay as you do, and unlike you I took the time to walk out there drill a lot of holes, measured them, talk to almost everyone who was fishing, and make a video of it... the ice is almost entirely uniform at 4.5" + every where we checked. It is easy to be an arm chair ney sayer but I suspect this is just sour grapes from you for being banned on our board. Merry Christmas Mike.
PS: Mike is correct, walk and carry a Spud on any early ice.