The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of total organic carbon concentrations in a shallow, eutrophic lake (Lake Jarosławieckie, the Wielkopolski National Park, mid-western Poland) against the background of lake habitat heterogeneity. The interrelations between TOC and chlorophyll a in different studied sites (in macrophyte communities as well as in open water sections) were also taken into account. In November 2000, March, May, June and July 2001, water samples were collected in two transects along and across the lake traversing macrophyte communities of the phytolittoral zonation (7 sites) and reaching the open water zone (mid-lake, 3 sites) and, additionally, in a site close to a beach attracting local inhabitants and tourists. Statistical analyses revealed significant temporal differentiation and reverse patterns of changes of both TOC and chlorophyll a concentrations in the studied lake, whereas the spatial one was not significant. No correlations between both parameters were found. The results of cluster analyses suggest macrophyte vegetation and its seasonal changes in development as the main factor to influence TOC concentrations.