Golden Snapper illustration
Species

Golden Snapper

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

Regulations

WA40 cm min · bag 3NT45 cm min · bag 5
StateSizeBag
WA40 cm min3
NT45 cm min5

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

Overview: about golden snapper

NT and northern QLD name for fingermark — a tropical reef and estuary snapper with a black flank blotch. Targeted with live baits, soft plastics and jigs around rock bars and inshore reef. Slow-growing and now strictly regulated in the NT after stock concerns.

Biology: Golden Snapper 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) — note overlap with fingermark vernacular

How to target: Golden Snapper 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 wrecks and rocky structure
  • soft plastics worked along rubble edges in 10-30m
  • fresh squid baits anchored over isolated reef on tide change

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

Conservation

IUCN: Least Concern

Vernacular overlap: 'golden snapper' / 'fingermark' / 'John's snapper' all = Lutjanus johnii in NT/WA but used loosely. Flag for editorial review.

Recent community catches: anglers who caught golden snapper

No golden snapper catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.

Where to catch: golden snapper fishing spots in Australia

Northern Territory44
Western Australia3
Queensland2

More information: golden snapper references & sources

Log catch