If a lake is shallow, when the deep snow falls it soon sinks below the surface in a heavy mushy mass that presses down upon the fish and prevents their breathing.

Then, if a severe frost follows and the mass freezes the ice squeezes the fish to the bottom.

Over three years ago Watson took fish to Bessie Lake, putting in as many as 6000 fry of Lake Tahoe and other species.

The next year, and the following years they were all right, having grown to eight or nine inches in length.

Then came a severe winter and in the spring there was not a living fish left.