Southside:
I'm probably out of order for responding to your post, as I'm now a native of Iowa, and our winters are a bit different than yours.
Nonetheless, we paddle whenever the ice is thin enough to break with an axe, so here is a bit of a list. Be aware that my list involves paddling with water temps at 33-40 degrees and air temps down to...
...well, never mind, but they are pretty cool...
Personal gear:
Layered clothing, including a two-piece wetsuit for warmer times (above 30 degrees air temp), a full one-piece wetsuit for cooler temps and/or a drysuit for the really cold ones.
Mukluks for the feet. Cold feet are the worst problem for winter paddling. I use NRS Boundary Shoe, an almost knee-high, really waterproof boot, sized large enough for two pair of socks.
Mitts. I've found that for cold weather, no glove will really keep the hands warm, so I use surplus Swiss military waterproof mitt covers over almost any wool glove liner. Both available at:
http://www.fatiguesarmynavy.com/store/item/SW0501" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The shell is water and wind-proof, but is thin enough to allow some "feel" of a canoe paddle.
Head coverings: personal choice, but ya gotta use something!
Emergency gear:
In addition to the usual first aid kit, rescue kit and such, you might want to carry:
A dry bag with many towels and at least two changes of clothing, sized large enough for the largest person who is paddling with you (including some kind of footwear.) If somebody goes into the water in cold weather, you will likely have to get 'em dried out completely if you are far from an access. A couple of "space blankets" are a good idea.
Firestarters, good knife and hatchet or pruning saw. Sometimes, you just have to build a fire!
Dry bag of extra high-calorie foods: in winter, if you have to walk out or spend the night, you'll use up energy at an astounding rate.
Extra water in a thermos.
In our area, the list expands to some really odd stuff:
cut off ski poles for "skidding" a boat over ice floes...
a grappling hook and 50 feet of line for gaining access at steep and ice-covered banks...
a sharp-tipped canoe pole for ice breaking and poling through slush...
...and so on..
The list can probably be shortened for Arkansas winters.
Perhaps the most important item is one that I'll not mention directly, but will suggest that you get hold of the DVD "Cold Water Boot Camp" from:
http://www.watersafetycongress.org/eduprograms.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They make the point better than I ever could!
Be well.
al