Outdoor Adventures

Amos Lee Gourdine Landing—also called Russellville Landing—is an officially listed public boat access on Lake Moultrie in Berkeley County, South Carolina. SCDNR marks the Santee Cooper-owned and maintained facility open, and Santee Cooper identifies it as a vehicular access point for the Lake Moultrie Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This guide covers the exact access details, fishing context and safety questions visitors should check before launching or joining the trail.

Amos Lee Gourdine Landing quick facts

• Official SCDNR access name: Amos Lee Gourdine
• Alternate name: Russellville Landing
• SCDNR facility ID: 8021
• SCDNR feature: FID 116
• Water: Lake Moultrie
• County: Berkeley County
• Owner and maintainer: Santee Cooper
• Current dataset status: open
• Official coordinates: 33.4022, -79.9928
• Road access: end of Road S-8-204 in the Russellville area
• Best for: Lake Moultrie boat launching, fishing and vehicular access to the Lake Moultrie Passage

The access record comes from the SCDNR Boat Ramps FeatureServer. The exact feature carries GlobalID d79b58db-df3d-4f42-8336-72400b53befe. A Berkeley County notice documents “Amos Lee Gourdine Landing (Russellville Landing)” as the same facility, while Santee Cooper uses Russellville Boat Landing in its trail directions.

Where is Russellville Landing?

The landing is on the northeastern side of Lake Moultrie in the Russellville area of Berkeley County. Santee Cooper places vehicular trail access at Russellville Boat Landing at the end of Road S-8-204. For the launch itself, use the state dataset’s exact coordinate pin at 33.4022, -79.9928 and compare the arrival point with posted signs.

Save the pin before leaving reliable service. The official sources reviewed do not supply a dependable street number, so the coordinate pin and Road S-8-204 are more precise than an invented mailing address. Searches under either “Amos Lee Gourdine” or “Russellville Landing” may find the same access.

Current public-access verification

SCDNR currently marks the facility open and lists Santee Cooper as both owner and maintenance entity. The strongest recent cross-check is an SCDNR boating-safety notice dated May 18, 2026, which scheduled courtesy inspections at “Amos Gourdine, Russellville Landing” on May 24. That confirms contemporary public-launch use under both names.

Open status can still change because of storms, repairs, water conditions or local orders. Review Santee Cooper notices and follow every sign or barrier at the site. A historical Berkeley County closure page from April 2020 is useful only for confirming the alternate name; it does not describe current access conditions.

Launching and parking

The official sources establish a public boat landing and vehicular approach, but they do not specify ramp surface, lane count, dock configuration, parking capacity, trailer-turnaround dimensions, lighting, fees, restrooms or accessible features. Arrive in daylight for a first visit and inspect the approach, staging area, ramp and water depth before backing down.

• Prepare lines, plug and safety equipment away from the active ramp.
• Use a spotter and wheel chocks when backing.
• Park only where signs permit and keep the turnaround, trail access and emergency route clear.
• Check the submerged ramp end and nearby stump hazards when water is low.
• Do not assume fuel, bait, potable water or restrooms are available.
• Keep a verified alternate landing saved in case the site does not suit your trailer or boat.

Fishing Lake Moultrie from Russellville

Lake Moultrie is the 60,400-acre lower reservoir in the Santee Cooper system. SCDNR describes largemouth bass, shellcracker, bream, striped bass, blue catfish and flathead catfish among its major fisheries. Backwater vegetation, shoreline cover, underwater humps and contour changes create varied fishing options.

The September 2026 SCDNR freshwater fishing trends describe improving bass prospects as temperatures begin to cool, crappie moving gradually from deep summer cover, continued bream opportunities and several workable catfish patterns across the Santee Cooper system. Treat that report as system-wide context, then adjust to wind, water level, temperature and conditions near this specific landing.

Bring boat-control equipment appropriate for open water and shallow shoreline cover. A chartplotter, depth finder and trolling motor help with positioning, but they do not remove stump risk or replace a lookout. Slow down whenever depth, visibility or the route is uncertain.

Lake Moultrie navigation hazards

Lake Moultrie was more extensively timbered before impoundment than Lake Marion, but SCDNR still urges caution in shallow water because submerged stumps remain along gently sloping shorelines. Farther from shore, much of the open lake ranges from about 10 to 30 feet deep and includes numerous underwater humps and contour breaks.

A marked navigation channel runs between Pinopolis Dam and the Diversion Canal. Santee Cooper’s lake guidance advises boaters to use marked channels when possible, observe buoys and exercise extreme caution outside them. Floating logs and storm debris can appear where an older track was clear.

• Wear a properly fitted life jacket and keep required equipment accessible.
• Check wind, thunderstorms and lake data before departure.
• Keep a dedicated lookout and reduce speed outside marked routes.
• Do not anchor in an active navigation channel or tie to a marker.
• Leave a float plan with the landing name and expected return time.
• Carry enough fuel for changing conditions and an alternate route.

Lake Moultrie Passage access

Russellville Landing also serves as vehicular access to the Lake Moultrie Passage of the Palmetto Trail. Santee Cooper describes the passage as approximately 26 miles, with much of the route following dikes around Lake Moultrie. The landing is an access point rather than a promise of a short, developed walking loop.

Trail users should prepare for heat, insects, snakes, standing water after heavy rain and seasonal hunting activity on nearby wildlife-management lands. Santee Cooper recommends bright clothing during hunting season, which generally affects the route from mid-September through January 1. Check current trail information and hunting dates before setting out.

Licenses and regulations

Review the 2026–2027 South Carolina Hunting and Fishing Laws and Regulations before fishing. Confirm the license required for each angler and current seasons, size limits, creel limits and legal methods. Regulations for Lakes Marion and Moultrie include system-specific rules for blue catfish, largemouth bass and nongame devices.

Boaters must also comply with registration, lighting, life-jacket and safety-equipment requirements. An open landing record does not replace a current rules check or an inspection of the launch conditions.

Seasonal planning and safety

Late summer brings heat, humidity and fast-building thunderstorms. Start early, carry extra drinking water and return to shore before thunder is close. Autumn can offer cooler fishing and hiking conditions, but shorter daylight makes an unfamiliar ramp harder to evaluate after sunset. Cold-water exposure becomes a major risk in winter and early spring.

Lake Moultrie is roughly 14 miles across at its widest point, so wind can build a meaningful chop. Check the forecast and Santee Cooper lake data before towing to Russellville, then reassess at the water. Do not let a long drive pressure you into launching when the lake or ramp does not match your experience.

Facilities and accessibility

The official records reviewed do not document restrooms, drinking water, lighting, a fishing pier, an accessible dock, designated accessible parking or a continuous accessible route at Amos Lee Gourdine Landing. Visitors who require a specific feature should confirm it with Santee Cooper before travel.

Cell coverage can vary around the reservoir and dike system. Download directions, carry basic first-aid supplies and tell someone where you launched or entered the trail. For emergencies, call 911.

Nearby Santee Cooper alternatives

• Hatchery Landing is another officially mapped public access on Lake Moultrie with recent SCDNR use.
• Henderson G. Guerry Landing offers another Lake Moultrie launch with a paddling-oriented planning guide.
• Santee State Park has two documented ramps, an accessible fishing pier, camping and trails.
• Pack’s Landing is useful when bait, fuel, guides or another Palmetto Trail connection matter.
• Rimini Landing provides a separate public Lake Marion launch farther west.

Plan the Russellville Landing visit

Amos Lee Gourdine/Russellville Landing fills a practical dual role: an officially listed open Lake Moultrie launch and vehicular access to the Lake Moultrie Passage. Navigate with the verified coordinate pin and Road S-8-204, arrive with daylight, inspect the launch and parking situation, and confirm current rules, lake conditions and trail notices before committing to the trip.

Access, lake, fishing, trail and regulation information verified September 3, 2026. Status, water level, ramp condition and local restrictions can change; follow posted signs and current official guidance.