Hot topic, everyone has their opinion on limits and there was a wide range on this topic. Limits are there for a reason and 1600 over is insane. I think one over is too many. Guy probably didn't even have a license. I think $8,000 in restitution is too low and higher fines put in place and enforced.
Living right near a fish hatchery it costs way more than $8000, to raise trout to a stockable age. After the severe flooding from Hurricane Irene which wiped it really bad it's probably more. Every year guys right here in Vermont get busted for the same thing - they follow the hatchery trucks and they do get caught. They are doing stocking at night now to try and prevent it.
He should have fished his last day (legally) No since in things like that going on but we all know there are those that will keep trying to get away with it.