- In System Preferences -> Dock, adjust "Dock Size" to the largest possible.
- Turn Magnification off.
- Now put a permanent icon for every application that you use into the dock.
- If the dock icons are still too large, then add a few other applications or documents that you never use to the dock. The more you put in, the smaller the icons will become. If the dock is still too large and you have its "position on screen" at the bottom, try moving it to the right which will shorten the dock and make the icons smaller.
[robg adds: If you're really set on a 'fixed' dock position for everything, then you should grab TinkerTool, which will let you 'pin' the dock to a corner of the screen. With the dock pinned, you don't need to add icons to change the size of dock icons, you can just add what you wish and then resize the dock the usual way - the trash will stay stuck in the corner, if that's the position you chose. We've run hints before on pinning the dock and moving the dock, but as far as I can tell, this is the first time we've run one explaining how to make an essentially 'static' dock. Keep in mind that the above hint is one user's opinion on the dock, and I'm certain not everyone will agree with him/her -- the dock seems to inspire debates that can rival political conversations, so please, keep it civil :-).]

