The bass are cruising - the walleye are often up on the flats, near the channel edges, and will often take crankbaits worked slowly and erratically. As a general rule, bigger baits work better this time of year. It may be due to the fact that the baitfish are bigger, and to a need on the part of the fish to start putting on the fat. In any case, you can get some remarkably big smallmouth and largemouth on absurdly large minnowbaits. Trolling along the channel edge still works well.
Daily limits are six fish for both pike and walleye.
For pike, there isn 't one, but most people release them anyway. Over 24 inches, they are big enough to take the time to fillet. Better read the 2000 Ontario Sport Fishing Regulations carefully. By the way, there 's some excellent fishing in Dow's Lake right in downtown Ottawa. Try around Brewer's Park- a little down from the Bronson Street bridge.