About the IGFA In 1978, Field & Stream magazine officially turned over its fresh water record-keeping responsibilities to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), which had already been keeping official salt water fishing records since it's inception in 1939. The IGFA's mission is to encourage the study of gamefish, keep the sport ethical, encourage it as a source of recreation and potentially of scientific data, to place such data at the disposal of as many human beings as possible, and to keep an up-to-date chart of world record catches. More Top Galleries 50 Best Lures of All Time Trophies from Boone & Crockett Underwater Action Photos Beginner's Guide: Bowhunting Man vs. Catfish