Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (CLECO CORPORATION (Parent Company Only) [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
CLECO CORPORATION (Parent Company Only) [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Amount of restricted net assets for consolidated subsidiaries	$ 723.5
Percent of total consolidated net assets over which parent company only financial statements are required (in hundredths)	25.00%