Tennessee River (watts bar lake)

There is a bay off the lake near the dam that is extremely large. It is feed by two creeks and and a river. The creek channel is very close to offering the same depth as the main lake. Will bass still push all the way to the main lake during summer heat or could a bay as i describe be broken down and fished as if it was a separate body of water.

I hope this makes sense. Thank you in advance.