In 45 years of fishing, I have never seen, or even heard of any population of bluegills being decimated from fishing (except maybe small, closed stock ponds). Bluegills could teach rabbits how to breed more efficiently. The problem with gills is usually over-population.

Any 'gils' I catch will have a 100% mortality rate, because they will be released into my skillet, deep-fryer, or freezer. I do my best to keep them from over-populating.

I am surprised the subject even came up on a fishing show. I mean, we're talking about bluegills, not brown trout, or salmon. Most of the fishing shows I've ever seen were more interested in trying to sell you a bunch of ridiculously over-priced Bass Tournament gear.

One of the nice things about 'gils' (besides being delicious) is that you really don't have to worry about limits. Most places I have fished have very generous creel limits....usually way more than you want to fillet at one time.

Vive le sunfish!