We used to go night fishing for cats at Lake Elizabeth in Fremont all the time... Chicken Livers with a 1/0 hook on Carolina rig. I used to use the magic-wrap (elastic thread) to loosely secure it to the hook. Only needed to cast out about 10-15 feet from the snack bar area. Not sure if that's too far out of your area or not.
I've heard there are good catfish in the ponds up at Niles community park too, although I've never fished them myself.