How can you tell whether your specific pond/lake is in the pre spawn, spawn, or post spawn. I've heard things about the pollen collecting indicates that spawn has arrived, but is there other signs?

I generally use water temperature as a guide. I find that if the water temp is 55 degrees or less, it's a pretty safe bet that you're dealing with pre-spawn. There are exceptions, especially within the various species and lake locations & type. Once the water temps get above 64 degrees, then I'll focus my presentations aimed more towards post spawn.

 

Remember though, a lot of the actual spawn takes place over a longer period of time than most anglers suspect. Each lake is different and only time on the particular water you are fishing, will get you focused in to what is actually happening there.

It's also important to remember that in any given body of water, not all bass will spawn at the same time. In my area, the spawn usually starts in mid-March, but can continue well into May. Another point to remember is that some bass, especially some of the biggest, spawn in deeper water than other bass. They can also spawn shallow ON timber standing in deep water.

Water temp is a good guide. The only way you can really tell is by catching fish and checking them out. Whatever stage one fish is in doesn't apply to all of the fish though. Some could be prespawn while others can even be post spawn.

I'm going with water temp as well.  Tell you a lot right there.  But there are times when you will have all three stages on the same body of water.