Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Balance Sheet Parentheticals (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	60,961,570	60,702,342
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	60,355,545	60,291,939
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	606,025	410,403
CLECO CORPORATION (Parent Company Only) [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	60,961,570	60,702,342
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	60,355,545	60,291,939
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	606,025	410,403