Lake Hennessey Fishing and Kayaking.

Lake Hennessey is located in St Helena California at the north end of the Napa valley. This lake is a hidden gem that allows restricted boating and zero water contact, swimming is not permitted. The boating restrictions are motorized boats are allowed but only with a 10 horsepower motor maximum and a five mile per hour speed limit. Sailboats are allowed but with a 16 foot maximum length. Canoe and kayaks are allowed also. There is a pretty nice boat ramp located at one area of the lake with nice drive through trailer parking spots I would say there was approximately 20 spots for parking. There are also bathrooms in the launching area. It is very well posted all around the lake but there is no kayak or canoe or boat launching anywhere on the lake except and only at the boat launch area. Main reason for these restrictions is that this is a drinking water supply Lake and they would like to keep it as clean and free from pollutants as possible. We arrived at the lake at approximately 1 PM and paid a four dollar lunch fee and a one dollar fishing fee. There are there is a yearly pass you can get that I believe is $40.

We launched our kayaks with ease into the lake and started to paddle across from the boat ramp were we saw many kayak fisherman on the lake. I spoke with all of them that I could make contact with and asked how the fishing was they said it was fair, water still a little bit cold. As a matter of fact the water temperature was 67°F on the surface. The lake is stocked with bass Crappie and Bluegill so that’s understandable that a higher water temperature would be preferred. There is reports that some of the bass or staging up on beds preparing to spawn. I marked fish on my fish finder and most of the lake between 10 and 20 feet depth.

I wasn’t really trying to fish too hard I was more of a search and explore day of the lake but I did drag a 3 inch Rapala broken back minnow behind my kayak and had zero action. The main reason I believe was due to the fact that it looks like the lake is turning over and there’s a lot of grass and weeds floating so my lure was constantly getting full of grass it needed constant cleaning.

We made our way all the way to the inlet of the lake to where the water depth was 1- 1/2 feet deep and about 8 feet wide that is where we decided to turn around. We spotted many bass some up into the 5 to 6 pound range. Also discovered at the inlet the water was 69°. We also spotted some wildlife any water birds Ducks, Egrets working the areas around the lake.

The shoreline has a lot of grassy areas that look like great areas to hold bass and bluegill around the lake with reeds in cat tail in great supply.

All in all we had a enjoyable day on the lake. The setting is very peaceful and tranquil. Great getaway in the Napa wine country.

Link for directions

https://goo.gl/maps/4kijqjXycpLBEwV69