Stamford, CT. – VERSUS announced on Thursday afternoon the debut of the new weekly series: City Limits Fishing, which premieres on Friday, February 15, at 8:30 p.m. ET. The six-part series, developed in part with USA TODAY LIVE, the television arm of the USA TODAY brand, follows host and professional angler Mike Iaconelli to not so far-off destinations such as New York City and Washington, DC to uncover the secret places within urban areas where the fishing is world-class.

In City Limits Fishing, Iaconelli—the 2006 Bass Angler of the Year—is challenged to catch a limit of fish entirely within the boundaries of some of the country’s greatest cities. As viewers follow him on his quest to quickly find fish in an unfamiliar body of water and figure out how to catch them, they will learn about surprising angling opportunities in some of the country's largest cites and also how one of the world's top fisherman catches his limit, or maybe the city limits his catch.

“City Limits Fishing is definitely a unique series for the network—it’s an urban twist on the traditional fishing show as cities like Philadelphia and Sacramento aren’t typically thought of as hot beds for angling,” said Greg Trager, director of Field Sports Programming for VERSUS. “With a world-renowned expert hosting and production by USA TODAY LIVE, the show is sure to appeal to both our core fishing viewers as well as a new and broader audience who may not usually watch fishing shows.” 

The show will air within VERSUS Country; a destination on the network that can be found every Thursday and Friday night and weekend morning. In VERSUS Country, viewers are presented with the best hunting and fishing programming on television featuring the most respected and renowned outdoorsmen in the world today. 

The Complete Schedule for City Limits Fishing Follows (schedule subject to change):

New York 
(Feb. 15 at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET, Encore presentation on March 14 at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET)

The big apple provides some amazing saltwater fishing action for host Mike Iaconelli and local Captain Joe Mattioli. The anglers leave Great Kills Harbor in Staten Island, New York in search of striped bass, false albacore and bluefish and with famous landmarks in the background like the United Nations building and Coney Island amusement park, Mike and his captain make some spectacular catches and surpass their limit. 

Washington, D.C. 
(Feb. 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET, Encore presentation on March 21 at 8:30 and 11:30 p.m. ET)

Mike travels to the nation’s capital in search of largemouth bass on the Potomac River. With Washington native and professional angler Robert Pearson along for the ride, catching the limit should not present a problem. However, once these fishermen miss the right tide this water proves hard to navigate. 

Chicago 
(Feb. 29 at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET)

Mike is on the Chicago River with fellow angler John Milio looking to catch bass in the Windy City. The two anglers spend the morning battling post-front conditions, but within an hour they begin catching their limit, with thousands of passers by watching.

Sacramento 
(March 7 at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET)

Mike Iaconelli and local urban angler Kent Brown fish the Sacramento River—an amazing fishery that runs through the heart of California’s capital city—for a limit of bass. Anglers can catch a variety of fresh and saltwater species here including salmon, but with the salmon run nearing its seasonal end, Mike and Kent decided to go after a limit of bass.

Philadelphia 
(March 28 at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET)

The “City of Brotherly Love” is home to host Mike Iaconelli and in this episode he returns to the rivers on which he learned his trade to see if he can still catch bass within the city limits.

Tampa
(April 4 at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET)

Fishing in saltwater is always a challenge, but when a nasty cold front blows through town, fishing is more tricky than usual. Host Mike Iaconelli doesn’t catch his limit, but he ends up tangling with some of the fiercest fighting fish he’s ever had on the end of his line.

NOTE: Ike will be a guest on the BASS ZONE on XM Sports Nation Sunday February 17th to talk about his new show.  For more information on The BASS ZONE on XM Sports Nation, Click Here