My nephew who is a conservation officer in NY, told me that it is illegal to target out of season species.
I asked him all the same questions as I'm pretty skeptical, and he said he'd write a ticket if he was sure of the offense.

I also asked him if I took all the hooks off the lure and fished with that, he said that was fine as no fish could be caught.
It can still be fun watching fish smash on top water without catching them.