Based on GIS technology, using three TM remote sensing at seasonal images in 1986, 1995 and 2008, we analyzed the temporal and spatial change characteristics and the driving forces for lake areas in Jilin Province during the past 23 years (1986-2008). The results showed that during the past 23 years, the lake areas in Jilin Province changed from 3442km² in 1986 to 2622 km² in 2008, and the lake number declined from 3134 to 2718. From 1986 to 1995, lakes area mainly reduced in big lakes (100-500 km²), while from 1995 to 2008 mainly reduced in medium to small lakes (10-50 km²). Different changes hapened in three regions:an increase of 42.1 km² in eastern lakes, a decrease of 98.9 km² in the central and 337.7 km² reduced in the western Jilin Province. The drought climate, population pressure, and construction of water projects played impotant roles on the lake area decreases.