During which time period did the overall bluegill population experience a decline?

The overall bluegill population experienced a decline between 1996 and 1999. This specific time period indicates a critical phase in the population dynamics of bluegill, where factors such as environmental changes, fishing pressure, or competition with other species may have negatively impacted their numbers. By analyzing population data, one can determine significant trends and fluctuations, which are vital for understanding ecosystem health and managing fish populations effectively. Observing the years leading up to and during the identified period would likely reveal additional context, such as habitat issues or changes in reproductive success that contributed to the decline. Thus, the choice encapsulates a window where the bluegill population was notably decreasing, underscoring the importance of that temporal span in ecological studies.