A dissolved carbon (DC) data set, including dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), from 224 lakes (513 stations) and 141 large reservoirs (337 stations) across China is presented in this study. In addition to DC, the data set also includes results for electrical conductivity (EC), total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll-a and transparency. The impact of trophic status and EC gradient on DC concentration in water bodies are discussed. Results from our investigation indicate that DC in saline (EC > 1000 mu S cm(-1)) water bodies (mean +/- S.D, 297.13 +/- 356.14 mg L-1, n = 186) are much higher than those in fresh water bodies (79.55 +/- 199.34 mg L-1, n = 669). Similarly, eutrophic water bodies (n = 552) exhibited higher DC concentrations than mesotrophic (n = 215) and oligotrophic water bodies (n = 85); DC in lakes (158.445 +/- 286.52 mg L-1, n = 513) was significantly higher than DC in reservoirs (37.83 +/- 37.53 mg L-1, n = 337). All data used in this investigation is accessible online.