Privacy Policy
Last updated October 28, 2026. This page explains what MaxCreel.com™ collects when you use the site, why, who can see it, and how to ask us to change or remove it. Our Disclaimer & Terms also apply.
1. Who we are
MaxCreel.com™ is a free fishing lake and river guide run by Max Creel™ in the United States. You can reach us at FishOn@maxcreel.com.
2. What we collect
Fishing reports and chat posts. When you post a report we store what you type (your name is optional, and so is your email), the lake, the date and time, and any conditions or species you pick. If you add a photo, we store the photo after it is checked. Reports, names you enter and approved photos are shown publicly on the site. Your email, if you give one, is never shown.
Articles and advertising applications. If you submit an article or apply to advertise, we store the details you give us, such as your name, email, phone number, business name and website. We use them only to review your submission and to contact you about it.
Report views. When a fishing report is shown on your screen, our server counts a view. To keep the count fair we also keep a private log with the date and time, which report was viewed, a random visitor code stored in your browser, a shortened internet address (the last part is hidden), your device and browser type (for example "iPhone, Safari"), and the website you came from, if any. This log is not shown to the public and is used only by the site owner to see how many people read reports and how the site is found. It is not used to identify you personally, and the site has no way to tie it to your name unless you also posted a report.
Server logs. Our web host keeps standard server logs (internet address, browser, pages requested and times) for security and to run the service.
Messages. If you email us, we keep the email and our replies.
3. What we do not collect
The site has no user accounts, no sign-in, and no payment or card details. We do not ask for or want sensitive personal information. Please do not put phone numbers, addresses or other private details in a public report.
4. Cookies and similar storage
We do not use advertising cookies. Your browser stores a few small items from this site: a random visitor code and a list of the reports it has already counted (so one person is not counted again and again), and your own lake or filter choices where the site remembers them. You can clear these in your browser settings at any time, and the site still works.
5. Other services that see your visit
Some parts of the site load from other companies, which can see your internet address and browser type when they do. They have their own privacy policies.
- Maps: OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap and Esri (ArcGIS) supply map and satellite images, and a script library for the maps is loaded from unpkg.com. Tapping a pin for directions opens Google Maps.
- Weather and water data: Open-Meteo (weather) and the U.S. Geological Survey (stream and lake readings).
- Fonts: Google Fonts.
- Our host: GoDaddy hosts the site and stores the data described above on servers in the United States.
- Social media: Our Facebook page, if you follow a link there, is run by Facebook under its own policy.
Some placements on the site are paid advertising. At the date above the site does not run advertising trackers or analytics. If we add website statistics (for example Google Analytics) or ad networks, we will list them here before they start.
6. How we use and share information
We use information to run the site, show fishing reports, review submissions, answer you, keep the site safe and stop spam, and understand which pages are useful. We do not sell your personal information and we do not share it for advertising. We share it only with the services that run the site (such as our host and email provider), when the law requires it, or to protect the site and its visitors.
7. How long we keep it
Public reports stay on the site until we or you remove them. The private view log keeps only the most recent entries (about the last 20,000 views), so older entries are replaced over time. Submissions and emails are kept as long as we need them to handle your request and then deleted when no longer useful.
8. Your choices
You can ask us to show you what we hold about you, correct it, or delete it, including a report or photo you posted. Email FishOn@maxcreel.com with the lake and the approximate date of the report. We will answer within 30 days. If you live in California or another state with privacy laws, you have these rights under those laws, and we do not discriminate against anyone who uses them. You can also block cookies in your browser or turn on your browser's "Do Not Track" or Global Privacy Control setting; the site does not use advertising trackers either way.
9. Children
The site is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from them. If you think a child has sent us information, email us and we will delete it.
10. Security
The site uses an encrypted (https) connection, stores submissions in a private folder that is not publicly readable, and checks photos before they appear. No website can promise perfect security, so please share only what you are comfortable with.
11. Changes
We may update this policy. The date at the top shows when it last changed, and we will post important changes on this page.
12. Contact
Questions or requests about privacy: FishOn@maxcreel.com.