A recent ruling by the Indiana Court of Appeals establishes that the area along Lake Michigan between the high-water mark and the low-water mark are public land and open to the public even along the beaches of lakeside homes. I can see both sides of this issue: while I wouldn't want everyone and their grandmother walking through my backyard, I still respect the idea that the lake itself belongs to everyone. Locals know that the majority of property along Lake Michigan has been built up and occupied predominantly by people from Illinois for the purpose of having summer homes, blocking off the beauty of the lake from 99% of the population. This ruling strikes the perfect balance, preventing genuine trespassing without depriving the general population access to the lakefront.