you want to wait for more than just the lake to thaw out. You also want the trail free of snow and the camping spots open. At least I do. I've hiked into open lakes that had 3 feet of snow (on the trail) in the treed areas. "Postholing" in the snow gets tiring when you have a 40 pound pack on your back.

You are right that lakes in general do fish well right after the ice goes off. Best places then are in the shallows as the water is warmer there.
_________________________
zen leecher