Shelf ice often forms along the edge of Lake Michigan during periods of cold weather. Don’t be fooled! Despite its appearance, the shelf ice is not solid and should not be walked on. Due to the way shelf ice is formed, numerous air pockets exist that cannot be easily seen. It also can be difficult to tell where the beach ends and where the ice starts. Don’t walk on the shelf ice! A person applying even a small amount of weight on shelf ice can easily fall through into frigid water that can quickly kill. Please enjoy the beautiful and unique ice formations from the safety of solid ground.