Document and Entity Information Document (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2011	Nov. 30, 2011	Mar. 27, 2011
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Lee Enterprises, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000058361
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-25
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Sep. 25, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	0
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		44,957,601
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 114,069,000