Large numbers of lakes with different types are distributed through China. The formation and evolution of the lakes are not only influenced by natural factors in the watersheds, but also deeply disturbed by human activities, which led to different regional evolution characteristics and eco-environmental problems. In recent decades, the number, area and distribution of the lakes have undergone significant changes. Moreover, the lakes are facing many problems such as shrinkage, reduction of storage capacity, water quality decline, serious eutrophication, biodiversity decrease, ecological degradation, barrier of river and lake water and ecological contact, over-development around the shore line and the lake area, etc. These problems have triggered a series of ecological and environmental consequences, seriously affecting the daily lives of the residents and sustainable development of the economy. This paper aims to identify the number, area and distribution of the lakes in China with the area latter than lkm², based on field survey and investigation. Combined with historical data of lake surveys and relative research results, the major ecological and environmental problems and regional characteristics of the lakes in recent decades are systematically analyzed, and the protection strategies for the lakes in China are proposed.