Pyramid Lake is one of the few remnants of ancient Lake Lahontan, an ancient inland sea that once covered most of northwest Nevada. Post ice age, this inland sea was formed with the receding of the ice shelves; this also coincides with the first evidence of humans in this area. Alongside early tribal people, the Lahontan Cutthroat evolved to be the top predator in this once 900 foot deep, 8,500 square mile body of water, feeding freely on native Tui Chubs and Cui-ui, a native sucker. These fish once cruised these same peaks and valleys as under water shelves and structure for almost 3,000 years.  Over the past 10,000 years, these fish have evolved to be the apex predators in the system and their size reflects it. Paiute oral history recounts stories of fish to the tune of 60+ pounds and are a huge significance to their tribal history.