| Lake Stechlin Großer Stechlinsee | |
| Location: | Landkreis Oberhavel, Brandenburg |
| Pushpin Map: | Brandenburg |
| Coords: | 53.1516°N 13.0262°W |
| Outflow: | Polzowkanal |
| Basin Countries: | Germany |
| Area: | 4.52km2 |
| Max-Depth: | 69.5m (228feet) |
| Elevation: | 60m (200feet) |
Lake Stechlin or Großer Stechlinsee is a lake in Landkreis Oberhavel, Brandenburg, Germany. At an elevation of 60 m, its surface area is 4.52 km2. The Stechlin cisco, a dwarfed fish, is found only in this lake. Theodor Fontane's last novel, Der Stechlin, was set in its vicinity.
Stechlinsee has a maximum depth of 69.5 metres, making it the deepest lake in the State of Brandenburg. It is also one of the clearest with a visual depth of up to 11 metres (average 6 metres). The water is of drinking quality.It is home to the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries.[1]
The Stechlin district is still one of the most important oligotrophic landscapes of Central Europe and a LIFE project was undertaken for the restoration of clear water lakes, mires and swamp forests of the Lake Stechlin.[2]
On 22 March 2012 The Global Nature Fund announced Lake Stechlin as the "Living Lake of the Year 2012".[3]