So one of the lakes I just started fishing has been very high the past week or so due to rain.  As a result they are lowering the lake level back to it's target depth.  I have read that bass try to stay out of the shallows while water levels drop.  My question is, how soon after the water level stabilizes do the fish come back.  The projections for the lake have it returning to normal levels tomorrow, perhaps Wednesday.  Assuming it reaches normal levels and stops falling, would the bass have moved back in to the shallows by Saturday?

I don't know that they desert the shallows completely, but I think they have a tendency to move towards the outer edge of them. I would think a lot of them will have moved back to their previous locations by the weekend, but when you get there start in shallow and work your way out. You'll find out pretty quick where they are. 

WIGuide - You make a good point, and that probably explains why bass were still being caught in the shallows this past weekend even though the water level was dropping.  Come to think of it all of the action I received was probably 10' from the shoreline, and in probably 5' of water.  This completely lines up with what you are saying.  I should have put that together myself, but I am still learning and not always good a picking up the clues like I should.

What Lake?

It depends if they are spawning there, but a general rule of thumb would be they will stay there as long as the food source does

In my view, a change in lake level has no meaningful influence on 'bass depth'.

That is, if the bass were 5 ft below the surface before a change in pool level,

they'll still be 5 ft below the surface after a pool level change.

Although this forces bass into a new setting, they'll still be found at the same 'bass depth'.

 

Roger

What Lake?

This was/is at Wateree.  I don't have the specifics right now, but it was something like 3' over the target level.  When I checked this morning it was still up by a foot.  I expect it will be balanced back out by the end of the week.  Hopefully the water level will stabilize and the water will clear up.  It was very high, rough, and muddy on Saturday when I was there.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that conditions will clear up and I will have the most productive day yet when I head back this weekend.

It depends if they are spawning there, but a general rule of thumb would be they will stay there as long as the food source does

 

Given I was on a kayak I have limited visibility to the larger lake, but based on recent reports there is still a mix of pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn fish.  I believe most of the spawning beds are further down the lake though.