In NY it's illegal. You can take for consumption under a fishing license, but if they catch you with it alive in your car(with an air pump/etc) it's illegal(without permit) and hefty fine. Bait fish are a different story(minnows/etc).
My father lives on a private lake on private propety(no public access). We privately stock/maintain it, yet the state says we need a license to fish it

They must be hard up for cash this year, because for the first time ever, an agent showed up at our 4th of July picnic....With ticket book in hand.