Earnings per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Income (loss) attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	$ 1,800us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,486us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 11,553us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 13,378us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract]
Weighted Average Common Shares			54,506,000lee_WeightedAverageCommonShares
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock			(2,012,000)
Basic average common shares			52,494,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment			1,381,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted			53,875,000
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.22us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.26us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted	$ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.03us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.21us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.25us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	6,816,000	98,000	6,533,000	100,000

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Weighted Average Common Shares- Number of shares determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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Weighted Average Number Basic Shares Outstanding Adjustment-The sum of potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the basic per-share computation.

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Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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