A reasonable compromise between the unavoidable necessity to use natural water resources and the possible deterioration of the water quality caused by overexploitation and anthropogenic contamination may be reached only on the basis of scientifically sound management strategy. Realisation of any management program must start from concrete definitions of usually poorly defined basic terms and concepts, such as "water quality", "indices of water quality", "goals and criteria of management". Regarding natural lakes, all partners in the process of management must accept such a system: water policy makers, water suppliers and users, and limnologists. This socio-ecological problem is especially important for lakes forming a unique natural complex, like lakes Naroch, Miastro and Batorino, which plays an important role in the economy and social structure of Belarus.