<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001253903</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0001174850</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>NICOLET BANKSHARES INC</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-37700</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>111 N WASHINGTON ST</com:street1>
        <com:city>GREEN BAY</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>WI</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>54301</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>920 430 1400</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>ATWELL ROBERT BRUCE</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Director</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>900 Salem Street</com:street1>
          <com:city>Smithfield</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>RI</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>02917</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>3309</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>495767.81</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>21366851</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>03/12/2026</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>03/12/2026</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Stock Option Exercise</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>3309</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>03/12/2026</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Cash</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>N</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <sellerDetails>
        <name>Robert Atwell</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>111 North Washington Street</com:street1>
          <com:city>Green Bay</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>WI</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>54301</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </sellerDetails>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <saleDate>03/05/2026</saleDate>
      <amountOfSecuritiesSold>3331</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
      <grossProceeds>501892.88</grossProceeds>
    </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <sellerDetails>
        <name>Robert Atwell</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>111 North Washington Street</com:street1>
          <com:city>Green Bay</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>WA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>64301</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </sellerDetails>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <saleDate>02/18/2026</saleDate>
      <amountOfSecuritiesSold>6396</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
      <grossProceeds>994357.75</grossProceeds>
    </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>03/12/2026</noticeDate>
      <signature>/s/ Jennifer Ruchti, as a duly authorized representative of Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, as attorney-in-fact for Robert Atwell</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
