Fingermark illustration
Species

Fingermark

Lutjanus johnii
Also known as Golden snapper · John's snapper · big-scaled bream · fingermark bream · fingermark seaperch · John's sea-perch · spotted-scale sea perch
Tier 3Eating8/10medium tackleQLDWANT
9 waypoints40–65 cm (max 100 cm) typical

Regulations

QLD35 cm min · bag 5
StateSizeBag
QLD35 cm min5

Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.

Overview: about fingermark

Tropical reef and estuary snapper of northern QLD, NT and WA. Targeted with live baits, soft plastics and trolled hardbodies around rock bars, snags and inshore reef. Distinctive black blotch on the upper flank — also called golden snapper or John's snapper depending on locale.

Biology: Fingermark size, diet & habitat

Habitat
Estuary, Inshore, Reef
Typical size
40–65 cm (max 100 cm)
Weight
2–6 kg (max 14 kg)
Depth range
3–80 m
Diet
prawns, small reef fish, squid
Most active
crepuscular
Global range
Indo-West Pacific tropics (Lutjanus johnii)

How to target: Fingermark angling strategies

Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.

  • live mullet or prawns on a running sinker rig around inshore reefs and wrecks
  • soft plastics worked along rocky headlands and creek mouths
  • fresh squid baits over rubble bottom in 10-30m

Safety & handling

Ciguatera risk: lowAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
In the same waters
  • saltwater crocodiles in northern estuaries

Recent community catches: anglers who caught fingermark

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Where to catch: fingermark fishing spots in Australia

Queensland9

More information: fingermark references & sources

Log catch