Just weeks ago a pet dog was snatched from the shallow water by a crocodile while its shocked owners beat a hasty retreat from the water.

Katherine Parks and Wildlife rangers have received multiple reports of large salties lurking in the Katherine region and have set traps as part of their management plan.

Today, on a visit to the swimming hot spot, tourists and locals could be seen fishing and making the most of the dry season weather.

One Katherine resident was taking his small sausage dog Pirlo for his daily walk on the banks of the river.

Despite seeing a few crocodiles over the years he said he felt safe as long as he wasn't swimming.

"Way too much of a risk," he said, "I see people swimming here all the time and it is absolutely stupid."

"I have been fishing just a bit further down and all of a sudden you spot one on the bank."

The resident of two years said he wouldn't be risking his beloved pet's life if he was likely to jump in the river at any given moment.

"He won't go in, he is very obedient. I wouldn't be bringing him down if he wasn't."

Just yesterday, Keith Dawson watched on as a group of people tempted fate.

The 56-year-old long-term resident frequents the river most days for lunch and says it is not often he doesn't see someone cooling off in the clear water.

"When I first came to live here we camped on this river for a good year or so and we used to swim every day, everyone did, but these days you couldn't pay me to go in.

"There are just too many crocs around and they reckon they love barra, but I think their diet has changed."

He said he mostly sees tourists swimming despite clear warning signs.

"People are silly to swim here, last year there was a crocodile slide - he would have been a big one too from the looks of it - and people were swimming none the wiser.

"People think it is safe because it is shallow, but it is not. They bring their dogs down and crocs just love dogs.

"I am very shocked no one has been eaten yet."

Rangers snared their first saltie of the season, yesterday, less than 20km from the Low Level Bridge mere days after the trap had been set.

Shocked and alarmed, residents took to the Katherine Times social media pages to express their concern.

"Don't think I'll be taking Chilli to the Low Level anytime soon," one person commented.

"Maybe we should stay away from the water on Wednesday," another said.

Despite a poor wet season, crocs seem to be up and about.

A record 23 salties were snapped up by rangers last year, and there is no telling what this year will hold.

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