SUNDAY DRIVE

What you see: Surprises are great in the outdoors, and when you come ’round the bend and see Lake Hennessey for the first time, you might be shocked at what you’ll find: a small, gorgeous lake settled in a deep valley east of Napa that gets missed by all the wine sippers. Instead, Lake Hennessey is where you bring a kayak, fish for bass or hike or bike neighboring Moore Creek Park.

Location: In the foothills east of Napa

The lake: Hennessey, a reservoir formed by the Conn Creek Dam, is a great spot for kayaks and other self-powered vehicles or boats with electric motors. The lake covers about 800 acres, big enough to need a day to see it all. If you have a boat with a gas engine, you can launch and use an electric motor, but cannot let the engine touch the water.

Fishing: Hennessey is one of the few public lakes in the greater Bay Area that can provide summer fishing for small bass, bluegill and sunfish. Most anglers use kayaks and venture to the upper lake in the coves on the far shore. A wacky-rigged Senko is best for bass, where the fish often pick it up on the drop. Watch your line where it enters the water for movement, rather than waiting for a bite you feel on the rod.

Hiking/biking: At adjacent Moore Creek Park, a 6-mile loop hike with ridgetop views on the Alta Hennessey Trail is a highlight. For mountain biking, the Valentine Vista Trail is a challenging ride with big-time views.

Wildlife: Small black-tailed deer and red-tailed hawk are common sights. A mated pair of bald eagles make occasional appearances. Once a day or so, they glide over the lake looking to turn an unsuspecting fish into a meal.

Facilities: Parking, vault toilets and boat launch at Lake Hennessey; parking and vault toilets at Moore County Park.

Fees: At Lake Hennessey, $4 boat ramp fee, $1 fishing fee per day, self-pay at boat launch; no cost to hike or bike at adjacent Moore Creek Park (and parking is free).

Water contact: No swimming, wading, float tubes or water contact of any kind is permitted. In Moore Creek Park, it is 3.4 miles on the Moore Creek Trail to a good swimming hole.

Dogs: Leashed dogs permitted.

Trout stocks: The Department of Fish and Wildlife last stocked Lake Hennessey with trout May 20. Info: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishPlants.

Contact: Lake Hennessey, city of Napa Parks and Recreation, www.cityofnapa.org; Moore Creek Park, Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District, www.napaoutdoors.org.