Crooked Creek
Crooked Creek in Ozarks Mountains follows a meandering route from Marble Falls, across Arkansas, until it reaches the White River. For most of the journey it flows through the rural landscape of the Ozarks, characterized by thickly forested hillsides, pastureland and cedar glades. Along its journey, Crooked Creek passes the cities of Harrison, Pyatt, and Yellville.
The city of Harrison is located between Branson and Little Rock. It is a pretty place characterized by hanging baskets and old brick storefronts. Visitors can take a Historic Walking Tour and see some local buildings of note, including the Lyric Theater, the 1909 Boone County Courthouse, the 1914 Boone County Jail, and the 1929 Hotel Seville. Downtown Harrison has two museums: Boone County Heritage Museum and the Marine Corps Legacy Museum. There are also plenty of shops, antique stores, an art gallery, and lots of restaurants.
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Crooked Creek -- Continue
Crooked Creek is most famous for its fishing and the clear waters provide a wonderful habitat for a variety of fish species, including smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and several varieties of sunfish. A great deal of wildlife can be spotted living along the banks of the creekâmink, beaver, and deer, amongst others. As well as the mammals, visitors can also see many bird species living and feeding in the vicinity of the stream, including kingfishers, ospreys, and great blue herons.
There are opportunities for fishing in the upper stretches of the stream, but the vast majority of recreational activity takes place along the 50 mile stretch below the town of Pyatt. The section from Pyatt to Yellville is a favorite for smallmouth anglers. Fishing below Yellville is considered only suitable for serious anglers. As well as fishing, there are also several limestone caves in the area worth visiting.
For those interested in conservation, the Fred Berry Conservation Center on Crooked Creek near Yellville has facilities including an education building and walking trails. The center occupies 421 shoreline acres on a 2.75 mile curve in the creek. This stretch of Ozark habitat provides excellent indoor and outdoor learning areas. The trails around the center offer easy access for fishing and wildlife observation. It is also a designated Arkansas Watchable Wildlife site with checklists for butterflies and birds available.
Boats and canoes can be rented from various locations on the vicinity of the creek and for those who want to make the most of the fishing, guide services also are available.