That smallie musta surprised you! But they come up like a boot in this colder weather.
Iceberg, there's some interesting humps and drop offs near those markers where Elk narrows to the Beaver lake channel.
Plus there are two humps in the middle of the lake that rock for smallies. If you have a fish finder, check the depths say... I'm trying to think of some landmarks.... Kinda out from the launch a ways and slightly over towards the wooded side.
And if you are looking at the public beach of Elk lake (from your boat), the left bank has some wild drop offs and points.
It's hard with out a map or creekmouth landmarks.