I am an avid fisherman in the spring and summer but when it comes to ice fishing I am a beginner. I've bee bored the last couple of days and decided to go ice fishing but l do not know where to start. What would you suggest for ice fishing for panfish (bait, depth, etc.)?

You need an auger to cut a hole in the ice. Some kind of shelter (like a buck blind for deer hunting). You can use any bait that you can find (worms at Walmart).
Depth 2 - 3 feet below ice.
And beer! Forget the cooler just set 'em on the ice.

First off, an auger, heater & ice shack r pretty important right now. Most of the bluegill r being caught in 10 to 15 feet of water, a little off the bottom. Little tear drop jigs with waxxies work very well. Try different colors until u find what they prefer. You can also try crappie minnows at times. l like the noodle rods, they r really sensitive & u do not need an extra spring bobber to detect the lighter bites. If u plan on getting into it fairly seriously u might want to invest in a Vexlar. If u r in a state that allows more than 1 line (we can have up to 3 in Wisconsin) u should also get some tip ups to put out while u r panfishing. Good luck!

what they said,but stzaay wrm

Basics LOL
Dress Warm
Make sure ice is strong enough to hold your weight
Cut/drill a hole in the ice
Have lots of Patience
Bait up and drop a line threw the hole and fish
Keep ice out of the hole
Pray you do not catch anything bigger than the hole you made.
Lots of liquid refreshment
GO home and get warm again

for one it all depends where u r fishing up here in alaska we fish just off the bottom & catch trout & landlocked salmon & we have a hand auger(they r cheaper than a power auger & give u more exercise) a ice pole, night crawlers a number 8 hook, forget the ice house they r expensive & so r heaters just start a fire & drill ur holes close to it & we go fishing even if it is -15 up here & a bobber & l think that is all we use
good luck & have fun

first youneed ice.