Crooked Creek is a home to many animals and a water and food source to many others. This abundance of life is what makes the creek so special to many people. Land mammals can frequently be seen getting a drink or cooling off in the water. White-tailed deer are almost always nearby. Black bear may also be seen in the vicinity. Opossums, raccoons, weasels, beavers, and mink are all inhabitants of the area. Raccoons in particular use the creek for its many food sources. Crawfish, frogs, and small fish are all eaten by raccoons. Many other animals feed on the aquatic organisms in the creek. Cranes and herons feed on the creek's many different fishes. Vultures may be seen eating stranded fish and carrion. Wild turkeys may only depend on the creek for water but they , too, can be seen around it throughout the year. Ducks and geese may make use of it for a short while on their annual migrations. Crooked Creek is home to many varieties of water snake, only one of which is poisonous. This one poisonous snake is of course the cotton mouth, or water moccasin. Several types of fresh water turtle also frequent the creek. The snapping turtle is the most dangerous to man. Small lizards and skinks round out the reptiles seen on the creek.
These creatures are important, but the creek is primarily known for its fish. It is especially known for its smallmouth bass. This game fish has made Crooked Creek famous. A relative of the smallmouth, the largemouth bass also occupy the creek. Sometimes spotted bass, another relative, are mistaken for the more popular largemouth. All of these three fish eat basically the same things. Crawfish, minnows, insects, and small sunfish make up the bulk of their diet. Sunfish are also a local favorite to catch. Bluegill and green sunfish are the two main varieties in Crooked Creek. Rock bass, though the name implies differently, are actually closely related to the sunfish. These small fish more than make up for their size with the fight that they put up. They rarely exceed a pound. Sunfish are also a food source for the channel catfish which can be found in the deeper pools. Several rough fish are residents of the creek. These "suckers" are bottom feeders and usually aren't caught with artificial lures although it does sometimes happen.
Pictures used with permission from Arlene L. Green of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The pictures were taken from http://www.agfc.state.ar.us/naturecam/default.htm.
Special thanks to Monty Davenport for his information and interview.