A MAN fought off a 3m crocodile after it attacked him while he was swimming in a creek with his teenage daughters - but locals say it was crazy for him to be in the waterhole.

The 37-year-old is recovering in Weipa hospital from large puncture wounds to his back, wrist and hand, as well as shock.

His injuries were not life-threatening.

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The attack happened at Beening Creek at Napranum, near Weipa, about 6.30pm on Saturday.

The spot is popular with locals but its waters are known for being crocodile-infested.

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The man did not want to talk to media yesterday but locals believed he punched the crocodile in the snout or poked it in the eye to escape from its jaws.

But Peter Graham from the Weipa Town Authority said swimming in the spot was madness and the man, a local, should have known better.

"You just don’t go in there, it’s just lunacy to get in the water up here," Mr Graham said.

"It was a close call … it’s absolutely crazy."

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Crocodiles had previously killed dogs at the waterhole and stalked the nearby school that had since closed.

Authorities had trapped crocodiles before and would consider trying to catch this one.

"There’s no shortage of crocodiles here, and it’s a small creek."

The Department of Environment said it would investigate and attempt to identify the crocodile.

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