'Highly likely' missing North Queensland fisherman attacked by crocodile

It is "highly likely" a fisherman who went missing yesterday afternoon off the North Queensland coast has been attacked by a crocodile.

The revelation from Queensland's Department of Environment and Science comes 24 hours after the 69-year-old failed to return from a fishing trip on Hinchinbrook Island.

He went fishing around 3pm yesterday and was expected back an hour later.

When he didn't return and his wife was unable to reach him via radio, she contacted police.

Police searched for the man through the night.

At 2.30am, they found his 2.5 metre dinghy - damaged and overturned - near the mouth of Gayundah Creek on the southwestern side of Hinchinbrook Island.

The boat has since been examined by experts from the Environment Department, who say it's highly likely a crocodile was involved in the man's disappearance.

"However, the exact circumstances and sequence of events remain unknown," the department said in a statement.

Wildlife officers are now out searching for the animal.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the missing man at this time," the Environment Department said.