Years ago I talked to one of the eel trappers that worked out of West Neck, he had a huge boat loaf of stuff. he said it was legal as long as it was not in a marked channel, that's second hand info plus those guys are kinda wierd, I mean who wants to spend all days messing with eels! Might check with Marine police, maybe Corps of Engineers, I'm not even sure who to ask. Like Kevin said I've seen people doing it, I'd just do it and plead ignorance if caught, pretty sure you'd get off with a warning the first time.