Rick, absolutely there is a correlation between a hard, cold winter and stellar Spring fishing in the Western basin/Niagara bar area. I think it has to do with more of the population of Salmon pushing west as more of the lake gets ultra-cold. Warmer winters seem to leave the Kings a little more spread out. Regardless of how long the winter lasts, the bar area will be solid again because the Smelt population remains high.
Shade is right on, with the boom holding back ice and debris, there is always incredible amounts to deal with early. I have encountered more than one plastic bag with an Ohio address on it.