Privacy Policy

Who this policy covers

This policy applies to usfishandwater.com and versions of this network hub linking here. US Fish & Water is an independent network of state fishing resources, not a government agency. Contact the hub team about privacy at contact@usfishandwater.com.

The hub introduces the network and links to separate state websites. Each linked state site’s own privacy policy and terms describe its account features, stored records, analytics and other practices. Following a hub link does not create a shared account, copy saved waters, transfer private notes or subscribe you to a list.

Messages and state suggestions

The contact forms collect your name, email address, topic and message; a state suggestion also includes the state or territory you enter. We process adult self-attestation, a form/request identifier, submission timing and security checks to deliver a message, reduce abuse and avoid duplicate sends. Email replies and direct correspondence can contain the details you choose to provide and ordinary mail-routing information.

Forms are for adults 18 or older. Do not include passwords, payment details, identity documents, medical information, private home addresses, children’s personal information or another person’s confidential material. A suggestion or message does not create an account, enroll you in marketing or guarantee a reply or launch date.

Saved states and local tools

Starring a state stores its name in this browser’s local storage. State search, filtering and matching run in the browser. Your shortlist is not an account, is not automatically synchronized and is not sent to us as a list by these tools. Clearing this site’s browser data or using the clear-saved-states control removes it from this browser.

Local storage can remain until changed or cleared. A browser may remove it on its own. Shared-device users can see that browser profile’s saves. The hub does not request device GPS permission or track an angler’s live location.

Form security and temporary storage

The production form endpoint uses a temporary HTTP-only, same-site security cookie, signed tokens and short-lived duplicate/rate-limit checks. The cookie is used to validate submissions, not for advertising. A secret signing key and temporary rate/duplicate records are kept outside the public website directory.

The form rate files use keyed hashes of network addresses rather than retaining raw IP addresses in those rate files. Rate and duplicate entries expire after two hours and are removed during later submissions. This does not mean the host or mail provider never processes an IP address. The security signing key remains available for the service and is not part of a two-hour deletion promise.

Message contents are processed for email delivery, rather than saved into a separate application message database. They can still exist in the receiving mailbox, mail queues, host/provider logs or backups. A successful form response means the local mail transport accepted the message, not guaranteed final inbox delivery.

Hosting, mail and ordinary connection information

Hosting, delivery, email and security providers can process IP addresses, request URLs, browser/device information, timestamps, routing records, error information and other technical logs. The public website uses HostGator hosting and its mail service. An owner-private review version can use OpenAI Sites and its infrastructure; any platform sign-in is governed by that platform’s own practices.

The hub’s fonts and site images are served from this site. Following a photograph attribution, agency link or state-site link contacts that separate service. Providers may use their own cookies, logging and retention. A host can process connection information even when the hub has no analytics tag.

How we use information

We use messages to answer questions, consider partnerships, review corrections or state suggestions, maintain the network, prevent spam, investigate abuse and protect legal rights. Verified non-personal facts and suggestions can inform guide development. Private message contents are not published as a public message feed by these forms.

Submission does not sign you up for marketing. A direct reply, security communication or response to a request is different from a promotional mailing list. Promotional mailing-list enrollment requires a separate, explicit opt-in identifying the list. Contacting us, saving a state or suggesting a guide does not count as that opt-in.

Analytics, advertising and privacy signals

This version of the hub has no added Google Analytics tag, advertising pixel, ad network or cross-site tracking integration. It does not set advertising cookies or load a third-party font service. That statement concerns the hub’s application code, not a claim that hosting providers collect nothing.

There is no optional analytics or advertising tag on this hub for an opt-out banner to disable. Privacy Choices explains local storage and request controls. Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track do not erase messages or prevent essential hosting and form-security processing. We will reassess disclosures, consent and opt-out controls before introducing a new tracking purpose.

Sharing, providers and business changes

Information may be handled by authorized people and providers operating, securing, hosting or delivering the service. We may disclose information where required by valid legal process, to investigate abuse, to protect people or legal rights, or in connection with a business transfer involving the service, with applicable safeguards and notice.

We do not sell contact-message details or intentionally share them for cross-context behavioral advertising. A link to a state guide does not automatically send it the contents of your hub message. Providers and third-party sites can have separate responsibilities and terms.

These disclosures do not authorize unrelated use of private records. We limit disclosures to what is reasonably necessary for the stated service, security, legal or transaction purpose. A business transfer does not by itself permit a new use that conflicts with the privacy commitments under which the information was collected.

Retention and security

Saved states remain locally until removed or cleared. Temporary submission security records are described above. Messages and correspondence can remain in the mailbox while needed for review, follow-up, administration, disputes or legal obligations. We review deletion requests and remove information when it is no longer needed, subject to applicable exceptions.

Provider logs, mail queues and backups can follow separate schedules. We do not promise an unverified deletion date for every copy. We use safeguards appropriate to the service, but no online system or transmission is guaranteed secure. Do not send information that this general contact service does not need.

Privacy requests and appeals

Email contact@usfishandwater.com with the subject “Privacy request.” Include enough information to locate a message, such as the sender email and approximate date. Do not include a password or identity document in your first email. We may ask for proportionate verification or an authorized agent’s authority before disclosing or changing records.

Depending on applicable law, rights can include access, correction, deletion, a copy or portability, objection, withdrawal of consent and opt-outs relating to certain processing. Eligibility, deadlines and exceptions depend on the law and circumstances; listing a right does not claim every statute applies to this hub. We will handle requests and permitted extensions in accordance with applicable law and will not unlawfully discriminate for exercising a right.

If you disagree with a response, reply to the same address and request an appeal or review. You may also contact the privacy regulator responsible for your location. Requests concerning a state site’s account or records should go to that state site. Provider-controlled account information may require a separate provider request.

Age restrictions and minors’ information

Contact forms, state suggestions, purchases and other interactive transactions are restricted to adults aged 18 or older. Persons under 18 must not submit a form, suggestion or other content, provide personal information, or make a purchase through this service. Parental or guardian permission does not create an exception to these restrictions.

Adults must use their own account and contact information. Do not include a minor’s name, photograph, contact information, school, location or other personal information in a submission. An age checkbox does not create an exception to these requirements.

We do not knowingly collect personal information submitted by minors through these features. If you believe a minor has submitted personal information, contact contact@usfishandwater.com with the affected page or account reference. Do not send additional personal information about the minor in the initial message. We will investigate, restrict the affected interactive use and remove unauthorized minor-submitted personal information, subject to legal preservation requirements.

Processing locations, photography and changes

Providers may process information in the United States and other locations where they operate, subject to applicable requirements. This policy does not promise a particular storage region that has not been verified.

The Lake Tahoe homepage photo is by Peter Hulce and the Lake Travis destination photo is by Trac Vu, used under the Unsplash License. Illustrative destination artwork is a network asset. The interactive coverage map uses US Atlas data. Images do not establish current conditions or the completeness of state coverage.

We may update this policy as practices change, with additional notice or consent where required. The date above identifies this version. Questions and requests for an accessible format can be sent to contact@usfishandwater.com.

A policy update is not retroactive permission to use previously collected personal information for an unrelated purpose. Before a material new use, we must provide the notice and obtain the separate permission required by applicable law.