Haukivesi is the central basin of the system, collecting 80% of the water that eventually flows into Lake Ladoga through River Vuoksi.

Like other lakes in the system, it has a convoluted shoreline with numerous islands and is divided into a number of smaller regions (selkä) such as Siitinselkä, Saviluoto, Tahkoselkä, Vuoriselkä, Kuokanselkä, Kuivaselkä, Heposelkä, Peonselkä, Tuunaanselkä, Hiekonselkä, Varparannanselkä, and Iso-Haukivesi.

[4] Most water flows from the east, through Tappuvirta, Oravikoski and Haponlahti locks.

The southernmost part of Haukivesi is Haapavesi, and most of its southern shoreline is covered by the city of Savonlinna.

However, there are restrictions on fishing because of the national park and protection of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal.