Abstract: The space-time variation of organic matter (OM), total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) in surface sediments from Poyang Lake was studied. The result indicated that: The OM, TN and TP contents in surface sediments decreased from south to north of Poyang Lake. The highest OM(0.420%~3.175%) and TN(0.026%~0.235%) contents were found in sediments from the rump parliament of ‘five rivers’, the center of lake was second, but the highest TP content was presented in sediments from the rump parliament of Gan River, Wu River and Xin River. The increment of come water from ‘five rivers’ significantly enhanced the OM, TN and TP contents in sediments from the Poyang Lake, especially for the north area of the lake, but the TN contents in sediments from the rump parliament of south lake in dry season were. Higher than that in flooding season. The OM, TN and TP contents in sediments of Poyang Lake trended to increase from 1992 to 2008, especially for OM and TP. The pollution level of OM, TN and TP in sediment from Poyang Lake had exceeded the level of that in sediment from the eutrophication lake. Comparing to the other four large fresh-water lakes, the water quality of Poyang Lake was well, but presented decrease trend, the higher TN and TP contents in sediments from Poyang Lake lead to the larger risk of eutrophication.