That point generally is defined as the line on the shore where the presence and action of water is continuous enough to distinguish it from land through erosion, vegetation changes or other characteristics.

Fisher said the land between the ordinary high water mark and the water itself — effectively the beach — continues to be owned by the state and is maintained as a public trust for all Hoosiers to enjoy.

"The idea is everybody has access to these waters and these beaches for ordinary, reasonable activities," Fisher said.

That contention was supported by Jeffrey Hyman, attorney for Alliance for the Great Lakes and Save the Dunes, and Patricia Sharkey, attorney for the Long Beach Community Alliance.

"These folks never owned to the water's edge," Sharkey said. "They owned to the ordinary high water mark — at most."

No decision timeline

The four sitting justices asked relatively few questions during the one-hour session. Though, at the end, Justice David raised the issue of whether the Supreme Court should decide the case at all.