Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Net income	$ 70,348	$ 35,186	$ 99,363	$ 185,155
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of post-retirement benefit net income (loss), net of tax (expense) benefit	304	(9)	640	(19)
Cash flow hedges:
Net derivatives loss on interest rate swap arising during the period, net of tax expense (benefit)	0	(37)	0	(210)
Reclassification of interest expense on interest rate swap, net of tax expense (benefit)	0	121	0	246
Reclassification of interest expense on treasury rate lock, net of tax expense (benefit)	(55)	(26)	(109)	(51)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	249	49	531	(34)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	70,597	35,235	99,894	185,121
CLECO POWER [Member]
Net income	35,694	39,089	65,724	71,249
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of post-retirement benefit net income (loss), net of tax (expense) benefit	188	(92)	373	(185)
Cash flow hedges:
Net derivatives loss on interest rate swap arising during the period, net of tax expense (benefit)	0	(37)	0	(210)
Reclassification of interest expense on interest rate swap, net of tax expense (benefit)	0	121	0	246
Reclassification of interest expense on treasury rate lock, net of tax expense (benefit)	(55)	(26)	(109)	(51)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	133	(34)	264	(200)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 35,827	$ 39,055	$ 65,988	$ 71,049