NT Fish - Golden Snapper

Lutjanus johnii

Other Names

Fingermark bream, spotted-scale sea perch, snapper, goldie, fingermark.

Important:

These fish grow to around 8 kg and are superb eating. They are distinguished by a prominent fingerprint-like mark below the dorsal fin similar to Russell's snapper. This mark fades as the fish grows.

Where are they found?

Estuaries and inshore rock and reef areas all round the Territory coast. Can be caught year round with peak season October-December.

Where do they like to live?

Golden snapper are regularly caught bottom fishing but they are happy to take lures.

Recommended Bait/Lure and Rig:

Offshore, snapper are usually caught bottom fishing on heavy lines but barra tackle is fine for the estuaries. Golden snapper will take small, deep-diving lures worked around reef and other structures and readily take squid and pilchard baits.

Additional Information

• Fishnote: Population Biology of the Golden Snapper
• Fishnote: Population Biology of the Stripey
• Fishnote: Population Biology of the Tricky Snapper
• Fishnote: Offshore Tropical Snapper
• Research: Offshore Snapper