Income Taxes Income Taxes, Income Tax Examination (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of income tax examinations [Abstract]
Amounts deposited with the IRS- accrued income taxes payable		$ 45.9
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Summary of income tax examinations [Abstract]
Deposits with IRS		60.4	8.2	52.2
Amounts deposited with IRS- accrued interest payable		6.3
Amounts deposited with IRS- remaining amount to offset tax and interest liabilities		42.8
Maximum decrease in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of settlement with the IRS		27.2
Income tax years that remain subject to examination		2001 through 2011
Miscellaneous other federal income tax payment	13.2
Reversal of previously accrued federal and state interest expense	31.6
Reversal of previously accrued deferred tax benefit	12.1
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Summary of income tax examinations [Abstract]
Income tax years that remain subject to examination		2001 through 2011
Cleco Power [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Summary of income tax examinations [Abstract]
Maximum decrease in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of settlement with the IRS		$ 27.5