We investigated the source, seasonality and historical changes in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Zeekoevlei, a shallow freshwater lake in South Africa. PAH input follows historical changes in land use pattern and recreational activities in Zeekoevlei since the early 1990s. Because anthropogenic activity in the catchment is low, this has resulted in an overall low PAH concentration in the water column and sediments. PAHs of mainly petrogenic origin dominate.