Lutjanus novemfasciatus is endemic to the Eastern Pacific and is found from southern California to Peru, including the Gulf of California, the Galapagos, Cocos, and Malpelo Islands (IUCN 2007).

This species is a commercial species caught on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua by an artisanal fleet (INPESCA 2019), known locally as "pargo dientón". No information about the stock structure or stock assessments could be found.