Crooked Creek winds through the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks, originating near Dogpatch in Newton County before flowing north and then east through Boone County and continuing across Marion County where it empties into the White River. This designated Blue Ribbon Smallmouth Bass Stream meanders over 80 miles through rolling pastureland, cedar glades, limestone bluffs, and tree-lined banks, offering anglers a glimpse of what the region's larger rivers were like before dam construction. The creek flows exclusively through private property along most of its length, making the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's public access points vital for visiting anglers. With smallmouth growth rates averaging higher than anywhere else in Arkansas, Crooked Creek attracts both local and visiting anglers seeking wild, native fish in a classic Ozark setting.