In the Niles v. Cedar Point Club case of 1899, the U.S Supreme Court ruled in favor of Cedar Point Club, a hunting and fishing club based in Ohio. The dispute arose when John C. Niles claimed ownership over certain portions of land that were also claimed by the club. The court had to determine whether these lands were part of Lake Erie's bed or its shore which would then decide who held rightful ownership under state law - if it was lakebed, it belonged to the State (and leased to Cedar Point), but if it was shoreline, it could be privately owned (by Mr.Niles). After careful examination and consideration of various factors including historical maps and water levels, Justice Peckham delivered the opinion for a unanimous court stating that this disputed area is indeed part of Lake Erie’s bed rather than its shore thus affirming lower courts' decisions granting rights to Cedar Point Club.

The dissenting opinion in the case of Niles v. Cedar Point Club argued that the majority's decision to uphold a lower court ruling, which allowed for private property rights over bodies of water, was incorrect and potentially harmful. The dissenting justices believed that this interpretation contradicted long-standing legal principles regarding public access to navigable waters for purposes such as fishing or navigation. They warned that allowing private entities to restrict access could lead to monopolization and exploitation of these resources, undermining public interest and welfare. Furthermore, they contended that historical precedent supported their view; traditionally, bodies of water were considered common property not subject to exclusive possession or control by any individual or group. Thus, they disagreed with the majority's assertion about landowners' right extending into adjacent waters if it interferes with public use.