Based on pollutant fluxes of the rivers surrounding Lake Taihu in Jiangsu Province and water quality in Lake Taihu, the response relationship between pollutant fluxes of the rivers and water quality in lake was studied from two aspects of temporal and spatial variation and correlation, main factors that affected water quality were analysed after pollutants discharged into lake. The results showed that the temporal distribution of total nitrogen (TN) and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentrations in Lake Taihu were in good accordance with distribution of TN and NH₃-N fluxes in river channels. TN and NH₃-N concentrations in the lake declined since 2008, with the decrease rate per year of 2.1% and 2.3%, respectively. The year descending rates of annual influxes of NH₃-N, TN, COD_Mn and COD_Cr were 8.0%, 2.0%, 1.6% and 2.2%, respectively. TN and NH₃-N concentrations in Lake Taihu and their fluxes in river channels were positively significantly correlated. NH₃-N, TN, TP, COD_Mn and COD_Cr in the western and northwest areas were better than that in the centre, southern and eastern areas, corresponding to pollutant fluxes of the rivers. Analysis of collinearity diagnosis and multiple stepwise regression indicated that TN, NH₃-N concentrations in river channels,and difference values of TN, NH₃-N concentrations between river and lake were significantly related with water quality in the Lake Taihu. It's desiderated to strengthen the control of river water quality.