If you need a good cover for caching and there is a lake nearby, take a fishing pole when you go hide your bucket. This is another reason I like PVC pipes - they fit in a backpack so there will be no questions, regardless of where you decide to hide your cache.

I'm of the opinion, "No Harm, No Foul". Yeah, it might be against the law. So is driving in excess of the speed limit. Use your good judgement and practice LNT - pick up your used caches after the trip and restore the area to its pre-existing condition.