(ABC 6 News) – March 4 is the last day to remove ice houses off of lakes in the lower half of Minnesota.

The Department of Natural Resources says anglers in the southern two-thirds of Minnesota have until midnight to take their houses off the water.

Removal for the northern third is set at midnight on March 18.

The DNR urges people to monitor ice conditions and consider removing shelters earlier.

If shelters are not removed by either deadline, the houses could be confiscated and removed or destroyed.