The concentration of cd, cr, pb and zn in water, sediments and fish samples from the man-made zemborzyce reservoir (Lublin, Poland) were examined in this study. the analytical procedures of metal determination were validated by application of certified reference materials. Moreover, concentration factors for Cd, Pb and Zn in the muscular tissue of fish were estimated and discussed with respect to their content in superficial water. Obtained data suggest that freshwater fish accumulate investigated metals in the consequent order: Zn > Cd > Pb > Cr. It was confirmed that freshwater fish could be used as selective bioindicators of trace metals in freshwater reservoirs.