Elk River Fishing Spot

• Elevation: 889'
• Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/16/09 07:25 PM
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The Elk River Basin lies within portions of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Counties include Benton County in Arkansas, Barry, McDonald, and Newton counties in Missouri, Delaware and Ottawa counties in Oklahoma, and Crawford County in Kansas. Missouri cities that lie within the basin include Seneca, Stark City, Fairview, Wheaton, Stella, Goodman, Anderson, Lanagan, Pineville, Washburn, Seligman, Noel, and Southwest City, and the largest of the Missouri cities, Neosho. Arkansas communities found in the basin are Sulphur Springs, Bella Vista, Gravette, Pea Ridge, Garfield, Avoca, Little Flock City, Centerton, Rogers, and the largest of the all cities within the watershed, Bentonville. The Elk River watershed headwaters originate in Big Sugar Creek near Seligman, Missouri and Little Sugar Creek near Bentonville, Arkansas. These two streams merge near Pineville, Missouri to form the Elk River. Other major tributaries are Indian Creek and Buffalo Creek. Lost Creek and Honey Creek of the Cherokees Lake basin (tributaries of Neosho/Grand River) are included in this watershed assessment. The lower portion of Elk River is inundated by, and forms, the Elk River Arm of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. The Elk River basin as covered by this document encompasses an area of 1,032 square miles and the corners of four states. Sportfish commonly found in basin streams include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, white and black crappie, rock bass, and channel catfish. Overall, the fish populations appear healthy, but declines in several species are apparent. The river also provides numerous fishing opportunities. All three species of black bass are present. Smallmouth bass are numerous and are usually found where good cover (rootwads and boulders) and current meet. Some of the better smallmouth bass habitat can be found between Pineville and MDC’s Mt. Shira Access. During recent electrofishing surveys smallmouth bass up to 16" were collected. Excellent opportunities are also available to catch rock bass (goggle-eye). Public access sites are available on the upper river at MDC’s Mt. Shira Access and on the lower river at Cowskin Access. Numerous canoe rental businesses are also located nearby, with drop-off and pick-up sites at several locations along the river.

The Elk River is a short tributary of the Neosho River, 80 mi (129 km) long[1], in southwestern Missouri and northeastern Oklahoma in the United States. Its tributaries also drain a small portion of northwestern Arkansas. Via the Neosho and Arkansas Rivers, the Elk is part of the Mississippi River watershed.