Semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) was recently accepted to estimate the time-integrated concentrations of bioavailable hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in a similar manner as lipophilic bioconcentration. However few field researches were carried out to verify the similarities of SPMD and fish in concentrating HOCs from water. In present work, SPMD and caged crucian carps (Carassius auratus) were deployed side-by-side at five sites in Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake for 32 days and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in SPMD and fish were analyzed. The results showed that the composition of PAHs and relative concentration of individual PAH in SPMD and fish were quite similar. There was significant correlation between bioconcentration factors (lg BCF) and device concentration factors (lg DCF) for concentrations of PAHs (p < 0.0001). However in a quantitative analysis, lipid-normalized concentrations of PAHs in SPMD and fish were similar, and the ratios of the concentrations of PAHs in fish and SPMD were ranged from 0.47 to 4.12. In summary, SPMD could be the surrogate to estimate PAHs levels in fish in fresh water lake.