Crooked Creek

Additional Information.

Crooked creek is one of the best smallmouth bass creeks around.

Water levels will vary with the seasons/rainfall and I have included on this page graphs for the water levels at Kelly Crossing and Harrison. These graphs are refreshed each time you enter this page so you will see current information. I use these graphs along with customer input to determine float conditions.

Ideal water level for floating anywhere from Pyatt bridge to Yellville is around 10.5-12.0ft on the Kellys Crossing graph. Creek is floatable below 10.5 if your tolerance for dragging your kayak is high and up to 13.0 and maybe 13.5 if you are a good kayaker. I recommend staying off creek at any higher levels.

Floating from Harmon Slab to Pyatt bridge (11-12 miles) requires around 5.6 to 6.0ft of water on Harrison gauge.

Of course with kayaks you need very little water to float and I will give you my recommendation during low water conditions and you can do with it what you will.

Below I have pasted a few links to various commentary on the creek made by other folks and you can research and find many more yourself.

USGS 07055565 Crooked Creek at Harrison, AR

USGS Crooked Creek at Kelly Crossing at Yellville, AR

Brad Wiegmann Outdoors

“Floating Crooked Creek is the ultimate smallmouth fishing trip. I know the word ultimate is overused today; however in this situation, I am not exaggerating. The smallmouths seem to thrive in the crystal clear flowing water. For any angler who has fished Crooked Creek, the description as “blue-ribbon smallmouth bass stream” comes as no surprise.”

Southwest Paddler

…more people fish for smallmouth bass than paddle the creek, but it offers a very scenic, Class I to II ride of about 72.3 miles with public access points ay several road crossings along the way….

Crooked Creek Water Trail

Crooked Creek is known for smallmouth bass fishing but it offers much more for visitors seeking solitude, exploration and a float trip down a river. To help anglers, paddlers and wildlife watchers enjoy this Ozark stream, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission designated the Crooked Creek Water Trail in 2012. Click the link below to download a PDF full of information and a map of Crooked Creek.