Michigan Fishing ("we," "us," or "our") operates michigan-fishing.com. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding that information. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here.
1. Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Account registration: email address, display name, and password (stored as a secure hash)
- Profile information: optional bio, favorite fish species, and favorite lake
- Payment information: billing details are processed by Stripe and are never stored on our servers. We only receive a customer ID and subscription status from Stripe.
- User-generated content: reviews, comments, and catch log entries you choose to post
- Newsletter subscription: email address if you opt in to our fishing report emails
Information Collected Automatically
- Log data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, and timestamps when you use the Site
- Cookies and sessions: we use session cookies to keep you logged in. We do not use third-party advertising cookies.
- Analytics: we use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the Site. This data is anonymized and aggregated.
2. How We Use Your Information
- To create and manage your account
- To process subscription payments through Stripe
- To send transactional emails (email verification, password reset, subscription confirmations)
- To send the weekly fishing report newsletter, if you have subscribed — you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in each email
- To display your public profile and any content you choose to share
- To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents
- To analyze and improve Site performance and content
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We share data only in these limited circumstances:
- Stripe: your payment details are shared with Stripe to process subscription billing. Stripe's privacy policy is available at stripe.com/privacy.
- Google Analytics: anonymized, aggregated usage data is shared with Google to help us understand Site usage.
- Legal requirements: we may disclose information if required by law or in response to a valid legal process.
4. Data Retention
We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal or accounting purposes. Public catch log entries and reviews may remain on the Site in anonymized form after account deletion.
5. Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate information in your account settings
- Request deletion of your account and associated data
- Unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time
To exercise these rights, use our contact form or email us at hello@michigan-fishing.com.
6. Security
We use industry-standard measures to protect your data, including HTTPS encryption, hashed password storage, and access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Children's Privacy
The Site is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
8. Third-Party Links
The Site may contain links to third-party websites (such as the Michigan DNR). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their policies.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted to this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
10. Contact Us
Questions about this Privacy Policy? Use our contact form or email us at hello@michigan-fishing.com.