Ok, here's the scoop.
I talked with the warden for our area of Land O Lakes Tim Price. He informed me that no the "Automatic Fisherman" is NOT Illegal for use in Wisconsin waters. So if your fishing here in Wisconsin, feel free to use them you won't be arrested for using somthing bad.
As far as Michigan goes, they still haven't gotten back with me to say Yea/Nay one way or another.
Pete