Croc lunges at man in WA's far north

A man has escaped a potentially serious crocodile attack in Western Australia's far north thanks to a quick-thinking friend.

A fisherman has escaped with only a scratch on his leg after a saltwater crocodile lunged at him at a waterway in Western Australia's far north.

A quick-thinking friend pulled Samuel Birch to safety when the croc lunged as he was retrieving a fishing net at the waterway near Wyndham on Wednesday, authorities say.

Mr Birch was left with just a scratch on his leg in the incident.

"People are encouraged not to risk their lives by entering the water of an established saltwater crocodile habitat," the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said in an emailed statement on Thursday.

"Northern Australian waters all have the potential to contain saltwater crocodiles."

The crocodile will not be destroyed as the department only intervenes when an animal is close to a town and poses a threat to residents.