Magnetic study on core sediments from western Lake Chaohu and soils from Hangbu River Catchment suggests that magnetite is the dominant magnetic mineral, and soils from Hangbu River Catchment are the main source of lake sediments. Core ACI near the bank shows higher proportion of sands and higher χ、SIRM values but lower χ_ARM values, indicating higher concentration of magnetite with coarse size. Core AC2 more far away from the bank shows lower proportion of sands and lower χ、SIRM values. The similar variations of χ、SIRM with χ_ARM, and to a lesser degree with clay fraction, in combination with higher χ_ARM/SIRM values, indicating lower concentration of magnetite with fine size. Magnetic properties of soils in the catchments indicate that skeletal soils with abundant sand and gravel fraction are magnetic strong which are contributed by coarse magnetite. Content of sand fraction in core is a reflection of water energy which is dependent on the distance to the bank. Therefore, the distinct magnetic properties of different cores are due to sedimentary dynamics. It is found that χ_ARM/SIRM can be used to indicate the variation of clay contents in sediments