Fishing in Dorchester County, South Carolina
County seat: St. George. Population 161,540 (2020). SCDNR Region 4.
- 6bank and pier sites
- 5landings
- 2river pages
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How Dorchester County shapes up for anglers
The Dorchester County courthouse sits in St. George; 161,540 residents were tallied there in 2020. SCDNR files the bulk of its access points here under SCDNR Region 4.
Count 5 landings and paddle launches and 6 piers and bank sites in the SCDNR layer for the county. The county's river guides cover Edisto River and Ashley River.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 9, 2026. SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026.
Charting the public water of Dorchester County
SCDNR Public Water Access layer and lake points, checked November 9, 2026.
Dorchester County lake pages by acreage
Few paged lakes sit inside Dorchester County, so the closest ones over the line follow, measured from St. George.
| Lake | From St. George | Size | Landings | Kind | SCDNR species list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Marion | 27 miles northeast | 90,000 acres | 17 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake Moultrie | 31 miles east | 60,400 acres | 9 | major reservoir | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Lake George Warren | 42 miles southwest | 400 acres | 2 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Bonneau Ferry WMA Lake | 43 miles east | 100 acres | 0 | mapped lake | none on SCDNR lists |
| Lake Edgar Brown | 46 miles west | 100 acres | 4 | SCDNR state lake | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish |
| Wee Tee Lake | 48 miles east | not printed | 1 | named at an SCDNR access | Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Redear Sunfish |
Surface acres and depth as SCDNR prints them on its page for this lake, read November 9, 2026. Sizes SCDNR does not print show as mapped outline area. Species as SCDNR lists them at its access points.
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Around St. George, 50 miles out, Black Crappie turns up on the most SCDNR lists.
SCDNR Public Water Access species lists, counted per lake page within 50 miles; an occurrence list, not a catch survey.
Smaller Dorchester County waters without a page yet
1 additional named waters in Dorchester County stay on this list until more is printed about them.
| Water | Size | Kind |
|---|---|---|
| Ashley River Park Fishing Pond | not printed | named at an SCDNR access |
Outline area from the SCDNR Lakes and Reservoirs map layer (a GIS polygon area, not an SCDNR surface-acre figure), read November 9, 2026. SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026.
Dorchester County waterways with SCDNR access
- Edisto Rivertidal, 16 SCDNR accesses, 7 USGS gauges
- Ashley Rivertidal, 12 SCDNR accesses, 3 USGS gauges
USGS sites logging Dorchester County rivers
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Edisto River Below Canadys, Sc | 569 cfs, 12.13 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Edisto River Nr Givhans, Sc | 549 cfs, 1.93 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Four Hole Swamp Near Dorchester, Sc | 2 cfs, 3.37 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Ashley River At Cooke Crossroads, Sc | 12.15 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
| Sawmill Branch At Ashley Drive Nr Summerville, Sc | 2.93 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Ashley River Below Summerville, Sc | 8.24 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026. USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Landings SCDNR maps for Dorchester County
- Givhans Ferry State Park on Edisto RiverEdisto River, paddle launch
- Herbert H Jessen Boat Ramp on Ashley RiverAshley River, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock, fishing pier
- Howard Bridgman Access at Bacons Bridge on Ashley RiverAshley River, paddle launch
- T Coke Weeks Boat Ramp on Edisto RiverEdisto River, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
- T W Messervy Boat Ramp on Edisto RiverEdisto River, boat ramp, 2 lanes, concrete or paved, courtesy dock
SCDNR shore points across Dorchester County
- Ashley River Park Pier 1 on Ashley River Park Fishing PondAshley River Park Fishing Pond, pier, wood
- Ashley River Park Pier 2 on Ashley River Park Fishing PondAshley River Park Fishing Pond, pier, wood
- Ashley River Park on Ashley River Park Fishing PondAshley River Park Fishing Pond, bank, wood
- Givhans Ferry State Park Bank on Edisto RiverEdisto River, bank
- Herbert H Jessen Fishing Pier 1 on Ashley RiverAshley River, pier, aluminum
- Herbert H Jessen Fishing Pier 2 on Ashley RiverAshley River, pier, aluminum
SCDNR South Carolina Public Water Access layer (ArcGIS service, the data behind the SCDNR fishing access map), read November 9, 2026. The SCDNR layer carries no fee or hours field.
Freshwater keeping rules for Dorchester County
A Dorchester County angler starts with these statewide limits and checks for a row naming the water. A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day (freshwater), not exceeding the species limits (guide p. 28). Residents spend $10 and nonresidents $35 on an annual freshwater license from SCDNR.
| Species | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| American Eel | 9 inches min | 25 |
| Blue Catfish | See limits in Freshwater Nongame Fishing Regulations section. | See limits in Freshwater Nongame Fishing Regulations section. |
| Bream | Any length | 30 |
| Redbreast Sunfish | Any length | 15 |
| Crappie | 8 inches min | 20 |
| Walleye & Sauger | Any length | No more than 8 combined total of walleye or sauger |
| Chain Pickerel | Any length | 30 |
| Redfin Pickerel | Any length | 30 |
| Yellow Perch | Any length | 30 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12 inches min | No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids |
| Redeye (Bartrams) Bass | Any length | No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids |
| Largemouth Bass | Any length | No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth, largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids |
| Spotted Bass | Any length | 15 |
| White Bass | Any length | 10 |
| Striped or Hybrid Bass or a combination | Any length | 10 |
Exceptions the guide lists in Dorchester County
- Ashley RiverStriped or Hybrid Bass or a combination: Oct. 1 – June 15: 26 inches min, 3
- Edisto RiverStriped or Hybrid Bass or a combination: Oct. 1 – June 15: 26 inches min, 3
2026-2027 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Guide, valid August 14, 2026 to August 14, 2027 (online guide), read November 9, 2026. License prices as printed on the SCDNR license pricing pages (dnr.sc.gov), read November 9, 2026.
State records traced to lakes near Dorchester County
Dorchester County is absent from the record lists, but these nearby waters are on them.
| Species | Weight as listed | List | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 16-2 | freshwater | Lake Marion | 1949 |
| Black Crappie | 5-0 | freshwater | Lake Moultrie | 1957 |
| Blue Catfish | 113.8 | freshwater | Lake Moultrie | 2017 |
| Channel Catfish | 58-0 | freshwater | Lake Moultrie | 1964 |
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
Bait sellers and trip captains of Dorchester County
Dorchester County tackle counters
- All in Tackle Manufacturingbait and tackle shop, Saint George
- Black Water Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ridgeville
- The Pointbait and tackle shop, Ridgeville
- Wyboo Pointe Marinamarina, Ridgeville
Guides and charters with a Dorchester County listing
- Reel Insane Charterscharter, Summerville, (843) 732-6281
Yellow Pages listings (city of business), read November 9, 2026.
Further pages linked to Dorchester County
Town pages within Dorchester County
- Summervillepop. 50,915
- St. Georgepop. 1,843
- Ridgevillepop. 1,672
Neighbouring county pages for Dorchester County
- Colleton County22 miles southwest
- Berkeley County27 miles east
- Charleston County33 miles southeast
- Orangeburg County34 miles northwest
Piscifun tackle laid out for a tide at Dorchester County
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Lowcountry and Upstate water near Dorchester County, on camera
Photo: Thunder60447, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: amblin, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mrs. Gemstone, CC BY-SA 2.0
Setting the record straight on Dorchester County fishing
Can I trailer a boat to a public landing in Dorchester County?
The SCDNR layer places 5 landings and launches in the county.
Which Dorchester County lake has the most acreage on SCDNR records?
No lake page lies inside the county; Lake Marion, 27 miles from St. George, is the nearest.
What species are listed at access points around Dorchester County?
SCDNR access lists name Black Crappie on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass and Redear Sunfish.
Which Dorchester County listings sell shrimp, crickets or lures?
All in Tackle Manufacturing heads 4.
What South Carolina town serves as seat of Dorchester County?
St. George serves as seat.
What license do anglers carry in Dorchester County?
Residents spend $10 and nonresidents $35 on an annual freshwater license from SCDNR.
Which counties sit next to Dorchester County?
The closest county pages are Colleton County, Berkeley County and Charleston County.
What is the crappie limit in Dorchester County?
Statewide: Crappie: 20 daily, size 8 inches min. A guide row naming a lake can change it.
What region does SCDNR assign Dorchester County landings?
SCDNR Region 4, going by the majority of its SCDNR access records.
Which Dorchester County lakes have special rules?
2 waters with a page here have a guide row of their own, beginning with Ashley River.
Plan a Palmetto State day in Dorchester County
Landing pages carry SCDNR lane counts and directions.