How to solve the fisherman riddle in Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 fisherman riddle laying on a pier with childlike chalk drawings surrounding it
Credit: Remedy Entertainment


Alan Wake 2 fisherman riddle laying on a pier with childlike chalk drawings surrounding it
Credit: Remedy Entertainment
December 6, 2023: We've updated this perplexing riddle's guide with more detail.

Players that explore every nook and cranny of Alan Wake 2's engrossing world will inevitably find its nursery rhymes and riddles. One that's quite easy to miss is the fisherman riddle in Watery, as it's only accessible once the water recedes. In this guide, we'll explain how to solve the fisherman riddle in Alan Wake 2.

As mentioned above, this riddle can only be found once the water levels in Watery have been reduced. One of the new areas this unlocks is the lighthouse trailer park, which features a pier at its southernmost point. This riddle can be found by walking along the pier, then taking a left near the boat.

Before we get into the riddle's solution, check out our Alan Wake 2 walkthrough hub for a big list of all our guides. We can also tell you about every weapon in the game and every charm in the game.

Alan Wake 2 map of lighthouse trailer park with the pier at the bottom circled
expand image
Credit: Gfinity Esports
When the water lowers, head down to the pier marked on the map above.

How to solve the fisherman riddle in Alan Wake 2

When players have surpassed Return 3 - The Local Girl and found the scrap of paper that contains this nursery rhyme, it must be decoded. We've listed it below so you don't need to keep running back to it in-game.

The Old Fisherman had great luck
His catch at Sea was beyond belief
But the Hungry Guest found relief
In the Fisherman's bountiful truck.

To solve this riddle, players must place dolls representing the rhyme's characters on the chalk drawings that they are associated with. Several dolls are in the area, but only two are needed - the wise elder doll and bear doll, both found inside the small hut near the pier entrance. Two other dolls can be can be found laying on a pier bench and should be collected by completionists aiming for the I'll Find You trophy.

The story mentions an old fisherman at sea, and one doll definitely matches that description. The first half of the riddle is solved by placing the wise elder doll on the drawing of the waves.

The second half concerns a hungry guest, a description neatly fitting the bear. The second half of the riddle is solved by placing the bear doll on the drawing of a sweet.

When the riddle is solved, a static effect flashes on screen and the game saves; players should follow the newly spawned trail of fish to their reward.

What is the fisherman riddle reward?

A new Taken must be fought off to claim it, but the charm on the bench is the Coffee World Charm. It increases the quality and quantity of resources that can be found when it is equipped.

That's everything there is to know about the fisherman riddle. For more Alan Wake 2, read up on our guide to upgrading weapons, unlocking the crossbow, and getting the hotel code.

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