Hovatn or Hovatnet is a lake in the municipality of Bygland in Agder county, Norway. It is part of the Otra river drainage basin. The 6.85 km2 lake is regulated and is used by the nearby Hovatn hydroelectric power plant. The dam has an outlet into the Hovassåni river which empties into the Åraksfjorden near Åraksbø. Hovatn is located in the Otra watershed, but only 3 km to the east is the lake Topsæ which is in the Tovdalselva drainage basin.