Sediment cores from the profundal region of relatively young (ca. 45 years), warm‐monomictic Lake Vechten were dated with Cs and210Pb and analyzed for major carotenoids, chlorophyll, and pheophytin. Vertical sediment accretion rates determined from a clay/sand horizon and from the radionuclide datings varied between 0.60 and 0.74 cm/year. Sedimentation rates based on paniculate matter collected in sediment traps agreed with results of the137Cs method with average values of respectively 2.9 and 2.3 kg dry weight m‐2year‐1. It was concluded that the profundal sediment is fairly undisturbed. Pigments showed a severalfold increase from the deepest to the superficial sediment layers. Their profiles were compared with limnological data obtained during previous studies of Lake Vechten. Evidence was provided that the distribution of pigments reflected grossly the trophic history of the lake, which became more eutrophic during the last two decades. Pigment analyses of sediment cores may be a useful tool to rapidly obtain rough basic information on the recent trophic development of stratified lakes liable to eutrophication.