The PCLake model can comprehensively simulate biotic and abiotic processes in shallow lakes. In this paper, we summarize the development history, technical framework, applicability, and limitations of the model from three aspects, which include the estimation of nutrients threshold, simulation of the effects of climate change, and biomanipulation. In addition, we present an outlook of the model’s future development in terms of the development of a more applicable and flexible model on a global scale, which can describe the characteristics of a wider range of lakes, the regime shift threshold determination and early-warning identification, the applications of sensitivity analysis and uncertainty analysis to the model, and the improvement of the model’s accuracy, based on discussion of the model’s advantages and problems in combination with hotspot issues in current research.