Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Non-vested Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Non-vested Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Non-vested Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Non-vested Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Stock Options [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Stock Options [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Stock Options [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Stock Options [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Equity Classification [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Equity Classification [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Equity Classification [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Equity Classification [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cleco Power [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Cleco Power [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cleco Power [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Cleco Power [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cleco Power [Member] Non-vested Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Cleco Power [Member] Non-vested Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cleco Power [Member] Non-vested Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Cleco Power [Member] Non-vested Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cleco Power [Member] Stock Options [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Cleco Power [Member] Stock Options [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cleco Power [Member] Stock Options [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Cleco Power [Member] Stock Options [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cleco Power [Member] Equity Classification [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Cleco Power [Member] Equity Classification [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cleco Power [Member] Equity Classification [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Cleco Power [Member] Equity Classification [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Certain Officers, Key Employees, and Directors [Member] Non-vested Stock [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Number of shares granted																																	140,186
Share-based compensation expense	$ 1,599	$ 1,183	$ 2,847	$ 3,542	$ 1,076	$ 796	$ 2,132	$ 1,947	$ 5	$ 23	$ 9	$ 36	$ 1,081	$ 819	$ 2,141	$ 1,983	$ 487	$ 355	$ 785	$ 1,108	$ 277	$ 201	$ 491	$ 522	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 277	$ 201	$ 491	$ 522
Common stock equivalent units	518	364	706	1,559													210	154	294	586
Tax benefit (excluding income tax gross-up)	$ 615	$ 455	$ 1,095	$ 1,363													$ 187	$ 137	$ 302	$ 426