Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 20, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000721994
Trading Symbol	lkfn
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		16,424,481
Entity Public Float			$ 414,093,925
Entity Well-Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes