Moses perch (Moses snapper)
Moses perch in South East Queensland: minimum 25 cm, 5 per person (inside the combined coral reef fin fish limit of 20), no closed season. Rules checked 8 Oct 2026. Best months SEQ-wide: July to December.
Updated
Scientific name: Lutjanus russellii. Also called Moses and Moses snapper.
| Scientific name | Lutjanus russellii |
|---|---|
| Other names | Moses, Moses snapper |
| Minimum size | 25 cm |
| Bag (possession) limit | 5 per person (inside the combined coral reef fin fish limit of 20) |
| Closed season in SEQ | None |
| Best months (SEQ-wide) | Jul–Dec |
| Also in season | Jan–Jun |
| Best tide | No clear tide preference |
| Best light | Any time of day |
| Habitats | Offshore reefs; the open bay and passages |
| Access | Mostly a boat fishery |
Moses perch size and bag limit in QLD
Moses snapper is a coral reef fin fish (tropical snapper): min 25 cm, 5 per person, inside the 20 combined coral reef fin fish limit. CRFF closures do not apply in SEQ.
Checked 8 Oct 2026 against the Queensland Government pages: size and possession limits and closed seasons.
Limits are possession limits: they count everything you hold, including any at home in the freezer. In yellow (conservation park) zones: max 2 lines and 2 hooks in total per angler. Green zones: no fishing. All QLD fishing rules
When to catch Moses perch in South East Queensland
October 2026: Moses perch is in its peak season across South East Queensland.
| Where | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEQ-wide | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: peak season | August: peak season | September: peak season | October: peak season | November: peak season | December: peak season |
- peak season
- in season
- off season
- closed season for at least part of the month
Weather: not fussy about wind; rain makes little difference.
Seasons partly come from Coastwatch report mentions, not catch numbers.
| Area | How common | Best | Also in season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Moreton Bay | Occasional | No season given | – |
| Offshore Sunshine Coast | Main area | Jul–Dec | Jan–Jun |
| Offshore Moreton | Also caught | Jul–Dec | Jan–Jun |
| Offshore Gold Coast | Also caught | Jul–Dec | Jan–Jun |
Not in our guide for Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Pumicestone Passage & Bribie, Northern Moreton Bay, Brisbane River, Southern Moreton Bay, Moreton Island, Straddie & Jumpinpin and Gold Coast.
Where to catch Moses perch in SEQ
Offshore reefs: Noosa North Reef, Sunshine Reef and Chardons (most reports), the Barwon Banks and Hards, Moreton 35s, Gold Coast 24s; juveniles on the Moreton Bay inshore reefs in summer.
Moses perch is mostly a boat fishery in South East Queensland.
Catch Signal forecast areas that rate Moses perch: Offshore: Mooloolaba to Caloundra, Offshore: Cape Moreton & Point Lookout, Offshore: Gold Coast.
| Spot | Area | Tide times |
|---|---|---|
| Mudjimba (Old Woman) Island | Offshore: Mooloolaba to Caloundra | Mooloolaba |
| Hutchison Shoal | Offshore: Cape Moreton and Point Lookout | Brisbane Bar |
| Narrowneck Reef | Offshore: Gold Coast | Gold Coast Seaway |
| Gneering Shoals | Offshore: Mooloolaba to Caloundra | Mooloolaba |
| Smith Rock | Offshore: Cape Moreton and Point Lookout | Brisbane Bar |
| South Stradbroke Artificial Reef | Offshore: Gold Coast | Gold Coast Seaway |
| Arkwright Shoal | Offshore: Mooloolaba to Caloundra | Mooloolaba |
| Brennan Shoal | Offshore: Cape Moreton and Point Lookout | Brisbane Bar |
Picked because the water each spot reaches suits Moses perch (our habitat match), not from catch reports. Each spot links to its place on the area page; tide times are for the place our forecast reads for that spot.
How to catch Moses perch: best baits, lures and rig
Baits
- Pilchard cubes
- Squid
- Prawn
Lures
- Light soft plastics and small jigs
Moses perch rig
Paternoster with 2/0-4/0 hooks.
Good to know about Moses perch
Mostly a by-catch on mixed reef trips.
Open in the forecast
See Moses perch in the Catch Signal app: seasons for the area you fish, closed-season warnings and the best days this week.
Sources
- Queensland Government: size and possession limits for tidal waters (last updated 25 Sep 2026; checked 8 Oct 2026)
- Queensland Government fish species guide (entries updated Mar-May 2026)
- Coastwatch weekly reports (seasons from report mentions, not catch numbers; we use the facts only)
- Catch Signal’s own Redcliffe Peninsula notes (from local fishing columns and reports)
Rules are short, dated summaries: always check the official pages before you keep a fish. Species notes are in our own words from the sources listed.